Personally I find all books about simple machines fascinating.Personally I find all books about simple machines fascinating. They describe implements we use in everyday life and I am constantly amazed that people back in the dim distant past had ideas for such wonderful effort-saving machines.

This is an attractive series taking each genre of simple machine (Pulleys, Inclined Planes, Wheels and Axles, Wedges, Screws and Levers) and showing their history, their many different uses and examples of how they can be combined with other simple machines to form complex machines.

A “hands-on” section in each book gives useful ideas for experiments in the classroom. A glossary, a short reading list and ideas for internet sites can be found at the back.

As the series title – First Facts – indicates, this is a series for junior to middle primary. Useful for topic work in class, I can also imagine budding scientists, who prefer non-fiction over fiction, will enjoy them too.

Recommended for year 3 and older – even good readers at year 2.

Reviewed by Beth

Published by Capstone Press