Book Focuses On ‘Way Toys Work’

By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm
Published: January 4, 2009

“The Way Toys Work” by Ed Sobey and Woody Sobey, 2008, Chicago Review Press, $14.95/$16.95 Canada, 178 pages: Not long ago, there were presents beneath your Christmas tree, and some of them had your name on them.
There were the usual socks and shirts. Santa brought you a few useful things that you really didn’t ask for. And there were paper-covered toys under that tree that you couldn’t wait to unwrap and play with.
You had a lot of cool toys already, and some are still your favorites. But what makes them so great? Some don’t even have batteries. How do they operate? Find out by reading “The Way Toys Work” by Ed Sobey and Woody Sobey.
Ask your mom and dad what their favorite toys were when they were kids, and you might be surprised to learn that the toys they played with are some of the same ones you now have in your room, too.
Take, for instance, the Etch-a-Sketch. Your parents probably were as mystified then as you are now about how the knobs make those scratchy lines on the screen. You’ll learn the secret when you read this book.
Maybe your little brother or sister got a Jack-in-the-box. How does that annoying music and the crank on the outside translate into something that pops up and makes a baby giggle? This book has the answer.
Even low-tech toys have scientific reasons behind how they work. A Frisbee works on force, air and gravity. It’s near-NASA stuff, and it’s particularly fascinating when you make your own flying disc and try a few experiments. A Balsa wood airplane also has gravity and lift to thank for its flying ability, by the way.
In “The Way Toys Work,” you’ll learn about Silly Putty and how it became an accidental hit. You’ll find out about Hula Hoops, yo-yos, Rubik’s Cubes and Super Soakers. You’ll see why bicycles are such great transportation. You’ll get a chance to pick up some awesome scientific knowledge, and you’ll see how you can make some toys that really work.
A book for adults or a book for kids? I wrestled with that question as I read “The Way Toys Work.”
On one hand, the activities and experiments in this book are kid-friendly and appear to have been written with a 10-to-12 year old in mind, maybe even slightly younger if an adult is handy to help. Kids will enjoy messing with the toys in this book, dissecting them and learning to make similar playthings.
On the other hand, much of the science in this book is so advanced that you almost need a degree to follow it. Worse, while this is a brand-new book released in 2008, many of the toys in this book are from bygone times. That means kids won’t identify with them at all. Who buys a Nintendo Entertainment System anymore, anyhow? Are Furbys even made these days?
If you’ve got a kid who’s totally passionate about science and loves to experiment, then this book might bring a smile. If your child is just idly curious, though, find another book for him to work on.

‘PROFILES’ REVIEW
“Profiles in Black: Phat Facts for Teens” by Marvin A. McMickle, Jean Alicia Elster, editor; Foreword by Efrem Smith, 2008, Judson Press, $22, 176 pages: The school year isn’t half over yet, but you’ve got your mind made up.
Last fall, within five minutes of walking through each classroom door, you know whether you were going to love the class or hate it. Some of your lessons are quick and fun. Others are so boring that you fight to stay awake every day.
Why is it that you can easily memorize a hundred songs and six dozen dance moves, but you can’t seem to remember the name of an old dead guy who signed some paper two centuries ago?
Maybe you need to add music to your history. In the new book “Profiles in Black: Phat Facts for Teens” by Marvin A. McMickle (edited by Jean Alicia Elster, foreword by Efrem Smith), you’ll see that history is connected to music and much more.
In his foreword, Pastor Smith says that young people need to take responsibility for learning their roots and their culture.
Okay. Duly noted, but what can you possibly learn here that your school hasn’t already force-fed you? A lot.
Did you know, for instance, that the first Africans came to North America in the early 1600s, not as slaves but as indentured servants? Indentured servitude was common and practiced widely by people from many countries. The intent was for the servant to pay for their passage to the New World with labor, usually for a period of seven years. After that, they were free to go. 
You already know that African Americans made many contributions to their new country, but what you don’t know might surprise you. Benjamin Banneker (born free in 1731) was the first black person to hold a presidential appointment (from George Washington). Lemuel Haynes and Peter Salem, both born into slavery, fought at the battle of Lexington and Concord. The city of Chicago was founded by a black man. And if you think Rosa Parks was the first woman to stage a protest, you’re wrong.
The first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard died on the same day that Dr. King gave his “I have a dream” speech. One of the 20th century’s best-loved pastors was part Cherokee. The first black woman in the world to earn a pilot’s license was born in Texas.
And back to the music: Motown Records was founded with an $800 loan. 
Looking for something that even the most reluctant readers will enjoy browsing? Then pick up this book, leave it around the house and see what happens.
“Profiles in Black” is filled with quick, short paragraphs about African Americans in history, government, the arts, the church and sports. The articles are accompanied by “the 411” on historical figures, as well as sidebars and “phat facts.” The book is light, fun and educational, and perfect as a gift.
If you think history is dry and boring, look for “Profiles in Black.” Books like this are hard to put down, whether you’re a teen, a grown-up, or are just looking for something light to read.

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER has been reading since she was 3 years old and never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.