Inventing the Computer

Children's Literature

Because technology is such an integral part of our daily lives, it is hard for today’s children to imagine a life before computers. They would be dumbfounded to learn that the earliest computer took up an entire room and needed weeks to perform complicated calculations. Part of the “Breakthrough Inventions” series from Crabtree Publishing Company, this book lays it all out for them, tracing the computer’s evolution from its earliest forms through the present day and beyond. Only thirty-two pages long, it is filled with historical information and scientific explanations. The book design is visually appealing with each two page spread bordered in purple with simple white line drawings within the border representing the circuits and other inner workings of the computer. The same circuitry images in very pale purple are found on the rest of the page forming a subtle background to the text. Colorful drawings, paintings ands photographs are prevalent throughout. Chapter and section headings are in bright shades of green, blue, purple, red, and orange with a different color used on each two page spread. Rounding out the book are a timeline showing advances in technology from 1685, with the invention of the first mechanical calculator through the present day, a glossary, and a comprehensive index. This book ties in well with the upper elementary/middle school science and technology curriculums making it a welcome addition to classroom, home, and library shelves. Reviewer: Pat Trattles