View source for Inventions in 30 Seconds by Dr Mike Goldsmith

{{infobox2
|title=Inventions in 30 Seconds
|author=Dr Mike Goldsmith
|reviewer=Louise Jones
|genre=Popular Science
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=9781782401483
|pages=96
|publisher=Ivy Kids
|date=October 2014
|aznuk=1782401482
|aznus=1782401482
|cover=1782401482
|website=
|video=
|summary=Colourful, fun and fresh, this bite-sized guide takes us on a whistle-stop tour of 30 ingenious inventions that changed the world. 
}}
My son is incredibly curious and is constantly bombarding me with questions about how things work or how things are made. It seems that the minute I have found the answer to one of his questions, another has formulated inside his head to replace it. I was delighted then, when ''Inventions in 30 Seconds'' arrived for me to review, as I saw it as a dose of much-needed respite from my endless research.

There are six sections in the book, each covering a different category of invention. We look at innovations in transport, communication, medicine and industry and look at some of the key examples in each collection, starting with the basics of weaving and working our way up to more complex examples like nuclear reactors and satellites.

The book does what it says on the cover, with each invention given its own dedicated two page spread. We are given a short summary covering the main points, followed by an even shorter '3 second sum up': a single sentence that encapsulates the main ideas discussed. A box at the bottom of the page gives ideas for further research or a practical experiment demonstrating how the invention works and then a full-colour illustration on the opposite page serves a visual aid to reinforce the main ideas. It is simple, snappy and brilliant; ideal for curious kids with short attention spans like my son.

I was especially grateful to see that the book discusses how computers and the Internet work, as the author does a much better job explaining this complex subject than I ever could. The '3 minute Missions' are a fun way to demonstrate the ideas in the book and I am particularly looking forward to making a balloon powered rocket. The book also tells you how to build a nuclear reactor out of tennis balls and toilet roll tubes...I kid you not.

I can't praise this book enough. The layout is superb, with lots of fact boxes and bright visuals to engage and entertain. The text is simple, but does not talk down to the intended audience. This book would make a perfect gift for a child with an enquiring mind or an interest in science. Many thanks to the publishers for my review copy.

For a more whimsical look at the world of inventions try [[101 Things You Wish You'd Invented and Some You Wish No One Had by Richard Horne and Tracey Turner]].

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[[Category:Children's Non-Fiction]]