Levers

Children's Literature - Amie Rose Rotruck

When children first begin to study science, the place to start, of course, is with the basics. In this book, which is part of the "Simple Machines" series, Sarah Tieck has taken the most elementary yet crucial mechanical devices and described them in terms that children just starting school can understand. After explaining five simple machines, she examines what a lever is and how it functions, and then provides examples of levers at work. She cites examples that children would be familiar with, such as a seesaw, a wheelbarrow, and a baseball bat. Next, the history of the lever, including Archimedes' contribution to the concept, is described, followed by more modern examples. This easy-to-understand book contains many photographs of various levers and a glossary. A wonderful introduction to basic physics.