How Electricity Is Made

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8Large, clear full-color photo graphs and diagrams are the outstand ing features here. Captions repeat or summarize information that is thor oughly discussed in the text. Topics are presented from a global perspective; understanding different developments and uses of technology in other coun tries will increase a student's aware ness of its use in this country. How Electricity Is Made is similar in content to Electricity (Silver Burdett, 1983) by Alan Cooper, but it is a more attractive and up-to-date presentation. How Bridges Are Made demonstrates how the materials available and the size of the span to be bridged have determined the evolution of bridge design and con struction. It is the most complete book on the subject for children, surpassing Bridges (Watts, 1983) by Cass Sandak. How Oil Rigs Are Made provides brief information on the search for oil but concentrates primarily on the construc tion of these monoliths. As such, the information it provides will be less in demand for school reports, but the ex cellent photographs of the process are fascinating, making the book attractive to browsers. Offshore! (Dutton, 1981) by Ross R. Olney is a more complete discussion of offshore oil drilling, in cluding environmental concerns and the housing and recreation of the crew. Altogether, the integrity of scholarship and design put into these books will help upgrade standards for children's science books.Allen Meyer, Vernon Area Public Library District, Prairie View, Ill.