Mighty Models: The Legendary Life Story of the Lever

by Christine Van Zandt

Kids will discover the importance of the lever and its crucial role in history from ancient civilizations to the modern day; perfect for fans of The Highlights Book of How and The New Way Things Work.

Think a lever is just a plank of wood? Think again! Levers have been used to hunt mammoths, raise the Great Wall, and even defend the Crown Jewels. 

This Mighty Models title highlights ten important key moments in which the lever leveled up in history—from being a spear-thrower to a robotic arm. Plus, readers build their own working catapult using the included build-it-yourself model to see the power of the lever in action!

Christine Van Zandt’s nonfiction STEM book, ideal for readers 5 to 8 and up, captures the marvels of early machinery in an engaging, interactive, and innovative format for budding engineers, historians, and scientists.

Genres: Picture Books, Stem

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 9, 2025

About the author

I'm a children's picture book author Christine Van Zandt and freelance editor at Write for Success Editing and Author Coaching Services.

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Reviews

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating book will have readers captivated by the evolution and uses of the lever throughout history. The book even includes a kit for making your own catapult! It’s the perfect classroom read aloud. Highly recommended.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! It reminds me of instructive cartoons I’d find as a kid on a paper placemat at our favorite diner or maybe in an occasional skinny paperback library book. When I was a kid, cartoon infographics were too cool for school. They always took me by surprise. I’d think I wasn’t interested in the topic—but so often I discovered I was. Definitely the case with Legendary Life Story of the Lever!

The graphic format grabs me from the get-go, with an illustrated Table of Contents that's both a mental map of the book and an invitation to jump to whichever moment in the history of the lever looks most interesting. Personally, I found it really fun to spot the simple machine in the ancient Egyptian marketplace. There’s also a make-your-own-catapult element to empower crafty and mechanically-minded kids.

I love the way Christine Van Zandt’s text chunks both the history and the technology into nice, easy-to-enjoy bites that show the wide range of uses of the lever, a simple but mighty machine! The illustrations by Lesley Breen have lots of fun details, some related to the machines but many showing what kids and their families were up to in each time period. The people are cute and cartoony.

Reading this book makes me feel like I’m getting a peek into an engineer’s notebook, with the hand-lettered block text and the graph-paper background full of geometric sketches. The color palette is warm and earthy, which helps the star of the book stand out: the Lever is a reliable red in each illustration, not garish but easy to spot, which is helpful because part of the fun of the book is discovering what a variety of machines are, at heart, levers.

[Ronna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not lying when I say this "deceptively simple machine" has made life easier over the millennia. This nonfiction STEM picture book traces the evolution of levers from ancient times to the present, detailing how they have contributed to civilization's achievements and advancements, and how it remains a crucial tool to this day.

Presented chronologically, this picture book goes all the way back to the Ice Age, when people hunted woolly mammoths with a spear thrower. The book engagingly combines Van Zandt's informative text with cute, detailed art that includes children in every spread. I recommend that kids explore each scene because Breen has made a point of capturing many activities in both the foreground and the background.

Whether used to weigh items for sale, lift heavy loads, or help a printing press operate, this ingenious invention changed our world. Be sure to read the factoids and sidebars as they are full of fascinating information.

Who knew a piece of wood could be so interesting, useful, and monumental in the history of mankind? This is the kind of book that can be read in one go or section by section. I can see parents or teachers using this book for activities that show levers in action, whether using a pair of scissors, a fishing rod, or even a seesaw! A bonus of buying this book is the step-by-step instructions for building the catapult model included.

[Katie Furze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book for kids (and adults). Okay, I’ll admit it – I thought a book about levers might be a little boring, but I was so wrong. I love the way the many uses of levers are explained using pivotal times in human history – from mammoth hunting all the way to space exploration! Each spread shows a scene from history that relates to the use of levers, side matter explains exactly how this type of lever works and fact boxes add fascinating tidbits of information. The illustrations and layout are brilliant. I especially love the intricate detail and that the levers are coloured bright red. This is a fabulous book for all kids – even those who think they have no interest in engineering technology.

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I could fall in love with a book about levers but I did. The Legendary Life Story of the Lever shares dozens of unique and fun facts without feeling overwhelming or boring. Not an easy task for nonfiction—especially when the audience is both kids and adults. The format is very user-friendly. Page spreads contain main ideas with digestible text, fact boxes, and side bars explaining a variety of ways to “use a lever.” Van Zandt’s voice is engaging and Breen’s illustrations are colorful and friendly. It’s unbelievable how much information is available to the reader. At the end of the book, you can even learn how to build your own catapult. How cool is that? A must-have for classrooms!

[Carol Doeringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read, full of unexpected details of how a seemingly unremarkable tool has helped people solve problems since the days of the woolly mammoth. The book traces key inventions based on levers, such as balance scales, weapons, the first printing presses, and more modern uses in airplanes and spacecraft. In both text and art, the book shows the lever’s physics in ways that young readers will enjoy. It’s also a brilliant way to engage readers in a non-didactic, fascinating tour of world history. Kids can also have fun building a model catapult, using the included pieces. I highly recommend this book.

[Samantha Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really cool book that teaches not just about how cool and useful levers are, but also about different time periods, how levers have been used to accomplish different things that are important to human evolution and development, and informational tidbits about the non-lever aspects of those examples. Plus, you get to build a catapult! This would be great for older picture book readers, families all together, and STEAM class learning.

As a millennial who loved playing Gizmos & Gadgets and Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego on the PC back in the day, this book was the offspring of those concepts. So it was very nostalgic and new at the same time.

From a review copy.

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating book shares how the simple lever led to life-changing, world-shaping accomplishment. Starting with a spear thrower that enabled more successful hunting of the wooly mammoth, examples move chronologically and throughout different parts of the world. There is the lever’s use in building the Great Wall of China, catapults, the printing press, and others, for example. With text that doesn’t bog readers down, the concepts are clear and very kid-friendly. The illustrations are fun and informative. This is a terrific book. It’s not overly education to the point of sounding textbook-y but shares truly amazing innovation throughout humankind’s history. I highly recommend this book!

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children are grown, but this is a book they would have loved and poured over. The story follows use of the lever through various periods of history, from ancient times to modern space exploration. Information is provided in fun, ‘bite-sized’ pieces with engaging illustrations. It’s great that the levers are always in red, which makes it easier to see how they’re being used. Readers will also enjoy the interesting historical notes about how things were different long ago. Side panels show how the lever accomplishes what it does. This is a great gift for any kid, but especially those fascinated with how things work. It’s also perfect for libraries and classrooms.

[Alison Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clever introduction to one of our most widely used simple machines takes us on a tour of the various ways people have used the lever throughout history--and prehistory. Each page spread features a different use for the lever, with detailed illustrations and callouts showing the lever in action. Consistent coloring makes it easy to spot the lever on each page spread, even when it's used in very different ways. THE LEGENDARY LIFE STORY OF THE LEVER isn't just for budding engineers; the book covers topics ranging from movie-making to print-making to protecting the crown jewels. Perfect for kids of all stripes who are curious about how things work.

[Ginny Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Christine Van Zandt has delivered a fun and punny book about something we didn't know we wanted to know so much about until we read what she had to say. As a former science teacher, I would have found this book an invaluable addition to my classroom as it makes something that might seem a little dull to learn about fascinating. It is a great addition to her spectacular library of history books. From hotdogs, to cogs, to levers, to underwear, Christine has a knack for bringing history to us in original and interesting ways. The illustrations in Lever are so clever as well. Much to love!

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so engaging and clearly explains ways people have used levers across cultures and throughout history. From ancient people hunting woolly mammoth, Egyptians measuring gold, Chinese building the Great Wall, levers have had a role to play. The short, approachable text and detailed pictures, which include captions helping to explain the lever's role in the scene, make the a topic that could feel complex or dull into a really fun reading and learning experience. And I love that the book includes an opportunity to make your own catapult, so readers get first hand experience with a lever.

[Moni Ritchie Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In true Van Zandt style, the author has crafted an incredible book that explores the historical and contemporary uses of levers, ranging from simple to complex. It presents a wealth of research in easily digestible sections, making it accessible for kids to understand key concepts. The illustrations are equally detailed, and the book even includes a model for assembly. With its large format, this book is highly recommended. You really need to hold it in your hands to fully appreciate its quality.

[Leslie Barnard Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lever comes to vivid life in this fascinating journey through history. As this book reveals, from prehistoric times to today, the lever has been an indispensable tool, allowing people to hunt mammoths, build towering structures, power aircraft, and more. I especially appreciated the way the illustrations highlight the levers in red, revealing the role of the lever in complex, multipart machines. Kid-friendly text and illustrations combine to create one of the best, most accessible books I've seen on this important topic. A perfect STEM purchase for school, library, and home collections!

[Michael Benner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with fascinating information about how levers have been used throughout history to shape the world. Each spread details a specific use of the lever in a unique an interesting way, with clear explanations of how that use of the lever worked and what it was intended to accomplish (e.g., building the Great Wall of China or printing books in mass), all in an easily consumable language and format for young readers. As an adult, I learned so much, including how many things I've heard about are actually levers! I highly recommend this book!

[Megan Clendenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book about the lever, something that seems simple, but has played such a key role in so many inventions! The book uses conversational, fun language and graphic, comic-book style illustrations to bring the lever to life through time, tracing its impact in inventions including the printing press, spears, catapults, aircraft, spacecraft, and so much more. This is both a fascinating look at history and a hands-on science book. There’s even a catapult that readers get to build! Highly recommended.

[K G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Van Zandt takes readers on a fascinating journey through time and to space as she reveals the incredibly interesting role that the seemingly "simple" lever has played and continues to play in our daily lives. The engaging layout allows readers to hop from fact to fact which will grab the attention of young and older readers--truly, adults will be interested in each morsel, too. The book even includes a kit for making a catapult--kids and adults will love this exciting opportunity to bring the book to life! Highly recommend for school and home!

[Tina Athaide · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Legendary Life Story of the Lever is a delightful and informative picture book! Christine Van Zandt takes a deceptively simple machine and makes it fascinating for young readers. Packed with easy-to-understand facts and lively illustrations, this book shows how levers are all around us and how they’ve shaped history. A great blend of STEM learning and fun—perfect for classrooms, home libraries, and curious kids!

[Carla Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entertaining book takes a simple machine - the lever - and shows us how important it has been throughout history! From early spear throwers to astronauts in space, this book takes readers on a journey through time, spotlighting the lever's role at each stop. A fun and entertaining read! Kids will also love the activity at the end to build their own catapult - using a lever of course! Highly recommend!

[Shruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a clever introduction to the lever!

The reader goes on a journey through history as we learn on each page all that a lever can do. The graphic format and the easy to understand chunks of information really works. I also appreciate that the lever is colored red everywhere, making it easy for the child reader to spot exactly where it is being used.

A brilliant combo of text and illustrations - an asset to every classroom.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pore-over book to keep for years. Van Zandt and Breen have covered everything and then some (includes a build-your-own catapult!). Clearly structured to give readers the full scope of the mighty lever’s importance throughout history. Breen’s illustrations cohesively yet uniquely shine in each spread, focusing on specific time periods of lever-built and inspired inventions. This book is an excellent example of sneaking in education and making it stick!

[Susannah Aziz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is what I call a hands on book! As a librarian, i can honestly say that we definitely need more fun, hands-on learning books like this one! An interesting book about levers, with a lot of good background information including an actual activity to apply learned information! So many kids just want to create, build and take things apart. Great for skill building! Super great ideas for library programs for kids and tweens!

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cool book for kids who love science and history, particularly! It's set up in a way so that younger kids can pop around and learn about a cool lever or two, while older kids can read the whole book straight through. The "build a catapult" activity at the end is a great way to make this knowledge practical in your home (watch the windows!).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so clever and creative! It will genuinely enthrall future mechanical engineers, and I love how it sneakily slips in an overview of human history to boot. I think this'll be a hit with kids of all ages, not just the younger set. And as a bonus, it even includes a model for kids to build. How cool!

[Maria Antonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction book is perfect for the kid who wants to understand how levers have been used throughout history. It's really quite fascinating! There are sections with titles like: "The Lever Protected the Crown Jewels" and "The Lever Directed a Hollywood Movie." The art is appealing and there's even an activity in the back for building a catapult.

[Keila Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clever book contains details about the use of levers from thousands of years ago to today. Fun illustrations accompany each explanation. Mighty Models: The Legendary Life Story of the Lever is a great STEM book for curious kids. The backmatter has instructions for building a model catapult. Highly recommended for home, classrooms, and school libraries.

[Lillie Pardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating STEM book for kids! This history of the lever is brought to life throughout the ages and around the world with interesting facts and engaging illustrations. As a teacher, I recommend this book to curious kids who want to learn about simple machines, how they work, and get excited about science concepts. I love the hands-on lever that comes with the book, too!

[Jen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this comprehensive history of the lever, you will no longer take it for granted. The author and illustrator present interesting variations of the "lowly lever" so the reader can see it in all its working glory. Adults and kids alike will be impressed. A bonus mini model catapult comes with the book so readers can try it for themselves!

[Marcus McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The models for this book are so much fun! Kids will love putting them together while learning more about levers, their uses, and origins. Beautifully illustrated and well written, MIGHTY MODELS takes us through the ages and even through the sky in fighter aircraft and outer space, all with the help of the lever.

[Sandhya Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much information. Kids are going to love learning about all the different forms and uses of a lever. It will remind them to look at things around them that may seem ordinary but are scientific marvels. It will also encourage kids to experiment and create something of their own with the activity in the back. Illustrations are so fun!