The Way Things Work – Discover How Machines and Technology Work

About The Product:

The Way Things Work is an exciting and informative book that helps kids understand the science behind everyday objects, machines, and technologies. With clear explanations and fun illustrations, this book breaks down complex ideas into simple concepts. Whether it's how a bicycle works, how airplanes fly, or how electricity powers our homes, The Way Things Work explains all of it in a way that kids can easily grasp.

Created by David Macaulay, a well-known author and illustrator, this book makes learning science enjoyable. The Way Things Work is a perfect blend of education and entertainment. It's designed to spark curiosity and inspire kids to learn more about the world around them. With its colorful, detailed diagrams and easy-to-follow text, children will gain a deeper understanding of how the things they use every day actually work.

Ideal for children aged 8 and up, The Way Things Work is not just a science book; it's an adventure into the world of machines, technology, and innovation. It’s perfect for school projects, general knowledge, or just satisfying a young mind’s curiosity about how the world operates.

A Conversation with David Macaulay

Explainer-in-Chief David Macaulay talks about the ins and outs of updating his essential guide to the world of machines - The Way Things Work Now.

The opportunity not only to stay current, but to make improvements to the object itself. The first is a no-brainer, but the second is personal. Staying up-to-date meant adding devices that are now so familiar we take them for granted and in fact have become completely dependent on them. It’s actually fun to have at least a basic sense of how a touchscreen works, not to mention e-paper. One clue—it’s not paper.

The more personal reward came with the opportunity to create what I hope is a more visually attractive book. Replacing the two color images (required of the first edition to keep costs down) with full-color art meant that not only is the book brighter and I think more inviting but also it offers greater clarity. In many of the earlier spreads, pieces of text floated in a sea of white space, often seeming disconnected from the related art. It doesn’t help a reader trying to absorb new information if they aren’t quite sure about the order or combination in which it should be viewed.

This book was a group effort from the beginning. As with the original editions, the new one was produced simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic. Research, writing, editing, and overall design happened in London. The pictures were developed and finally produced in my Vermont studio. I’m not a big fan of the distance, since it makes quick and more casual conversation possible between team members, even with Skype and FaceTime, etc., impossible. But since we weren’t developing a whole new project, these communication shortcuts probably made sense. It’s just not as much fun to work in isolation.

I think the answer is 'Backwards'. Each big book takes me longer than the one before, although the process hasn’t really changed much. Once I have my subject, I begin the research and stay with it until I run out of time. The original The Way Things Work was scheduled to be published in 1988. I joined the team in 1984 as the illustrator and spent the first two years trying to figure out how to avoid just making pictures of machines. It was during that time that I came up with the idea of an inventor’s notebook and the mammoth—an innocent victim of technology. Not only was I trying to put off the 'hard work' for as long as possible; I was hoping to find a way of introducing people to technology that was a little bit different and as unintimidating as possible. Because of the schedule, procrastination was severely limited. Now I can spend four years or more searching for just the right way of doing something before I finally have to do it. I ask more questions than I ever did and seem to have less confidence in my answers, so I ask them again. It’s a painful and pathetic process, and in the end, I can’t say that it actually produces a better book. So my process is perhaps devolving.

If all you’re looking for is information, the Internet with all its content, hyperlinks, diverse media, and incredible speed is hard to beat. But The Way Things Work Now was created to be much more than just a catalog of information. It was intended as a friendly and reassuring introduction to the often complicated world of machines—a catalyst for curiosity with a reward on every page or two. The book had to be illuminating, engaging, and entertaining—these are not necessarily characteristics so highly valued online. It had to be straightforward but never simplistic. One of the great things about a book is that the limits are built in. It can only be so long, and then you run out of pages. This is a plus. For younger readers, it seems to contain everything they might ever need to know. For older readers who know there is so much more out there, it offers a sizable introduction and perhaps some direction.

Learning and being entertained at the same time. I love being introduced to new ideas and gaining new insights from knowledgeable writers who also know how to tell a story. I can find the facts online, but it’s the story that makes them stick.

Features:

• Easy-to-Understand Science: The Way Things Work explains complex science concepts in simple language, making it perfect for young learners.
• Colorful Illustrations: The book is filled with detailed drawings and diagrams that help visualize how different machines and technologies work.
• Comprehensive Topics: It covers a wide variety of topics including simple machines, electricity, vehicles, and space technology.
• Interactive Learning: The book encourages children to think critically and ask questions, making it a hands-on learning experience.
• Authoritative Source: Written by David Macaulay, an expert in making complex ideas easy to understand, this book is a reliable educational resource.
• Perfect for School Projects: Whether it's for homework or a science fair project, The Way Things Work is an ideal reference for kids.
• Engaging and Fun: With its fun, engaging style, this book will keep children entertained while they learn about the mechanics of the world around them.