Gr 5 UpBooks for children about using electronics for inventions or even about learning the basics of electricity have been very sparse in recent years. Therefore, a readable text that covers the hows and whys of inventing using electrical devices, plus worksheets and ideas should be a welcome addition but some important instructions have been left out. Clever inventions use foot switches, recycled remote controls, and scavenged parts from used smoke alarms to build everything from remote-controlled lights to a better mousetrap. There are no wiring diagrams, no list of proper tools, no specifics on gauge and size of wire to use to complete a specific project, no illustrations depicting how wiring is connected. Some parts are specific to a particular retail outlet. Although there are some safety instructions, they are not highlighted. Angela Wilkes's My First Science Book (Knopf, 1990) is much stronger on detail. Books that inspire creativity are needed; unfortunately this one omits some important details.Kathryn Kosiorek, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
