Cool Stuff and How It Works

by Chris Woodford, Chris Woodford, Ben Morgan

Uses computer-generated images to explain how many devices and processes of modern technology work, covering such topics as doppler radar, bionic limbs, MP3 players, space probes, smart cards, and robotic workers.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Childrens, Reference

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2005

About the author

Chris Woodford writes popular science and technology books for adults and children. He studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University. His books include the bestselling "Cool Stuff" series for Dorling Kindersley, and he also writes the popular science education website Explain that Stuff.

Reviews

[Lauren]

Lauren Fariss:

This book is a great way to get middle school students to not only learn more about the aspects of technology that they use throughout their daily lives, but to recognize the ways in which that technology impacts their lives and their own identities.

Because this text is written in easy-to-read language, and talks about a number of gadgets and new technology, middle school students will be interested to read this nonfiction text, as it will teach them new information about how to use many of the technologies that they have most likely already been exposed to at some time.

After reading this book with my class, I would ask students to think about their own technological identities. Because most students have some form of online presence, be it through the use of Facebook or some other medium, I would ask students to look at how their online identity is formed and evaluate how the use of technology has positively or negatively impacted their own sense of identity.

Questions for students may include the following:
"How much time do you spend on Facebook? What photographs have you chosen for your page? What do you write about on your page, and why? What have you left off of your page, and why? How is your page different than your friends pages? What does your Facebook page say about you?" (Gallagher 73)

[Seth Abernethy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though now quite dated, as expected for a book on rapidly changing technology, this is still an excellent nonfiction kids book for anyone interested on the insides of our favorite things. It's a great "How It's Made" kind of book, that really does a fantastic job dissecting the technology it covers in each chapter and making it both educational and smart while still refraining from being too much and going over a kid's head. I love this book for it's variety of the different kinds of technology as well. We see the classic iPod on the cover of course, but it also covers robot assistants, sophisticated tech used by IBM, and even language translators - all things a child may think of as science-fiction before reading this book. It's an excellent boon for aspiring engineers, inventors, techies, and repair-folk. An all around helpful tool while still fun and entertaining, this is a great book for any kid to have on their shelf.

[Ashlee Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I've never read such an informative book. A book like this can really catch young eyes. It shows you a lot of things. Some things you didn't even knew existed. Its really fun to learn about science. Some of things in the book we use in our everyday life. its fun to see how many ways we can use everyday things in so many different ways. Also to learn whats on the inside of a phone. Science can inform but can be fun while informing. i just hope everyone would love this book the same way as i do. Another good thing about it is that you don't have to read it in order.

[AbdulRahman Asfour · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad gave me it as a gift, I didn't expect it'll be educational and fun. I also read it on my flight to KSA😅✈❤

[Kevin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a lot of categories of how things work, so you can't be like, "There's nothing that I actually want to know about." They were all fascinating to read and had cool pictures and backgrounds of each objects. Of course, what really matters is the actual learning. There were diagrams and understandable, but complex explanation of how things work. It makes your brain think about it and learn so many things in just two pages. With all the great art in the book and cool facts, this book will not dissapoint if you are interested in this genre of books.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look inside the everyday gadgets of our lives. It's a DK book so you KNOW it has great pictures and illustrations go along with the explanations.

I would recommend this for anyone who is curious and it would make a great rainy day or long trip book for an inquisitive child of age 10+ (maybe even age 8+ if they're precocious).

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly interesting book, and easy read that you might keep in the bathroom for short look-ats. It gives you an explanation of the technology behind your favorite toys, like iPods and scanners, in layman's terms.

[Michael 11-12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 reasons why I liked it:

1.It had a lot of stuff we use every day and how it works.

2.It was fascinating how stuff works.

3.It was very informational about things and thats what kind of book I like.

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot. The book explained stuff better than other books that I have read.

[Winda]

I learned.. How cool stuff work! :)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolute mind candy for kids curious about gizmos. The eye-catching graphic design reminds one of a video game magazine. Excellent and educational.

[Smellsofbikes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bet this would be really great if I were 14.