Repurpose It

April 1, 2012

Gr 5-7-These short volumes show readers how to create seven to eight "inventions." Enz starts each book with "The Six Step of Inventing" ("Problem," "Principle," "Ideas," "Plan," "Create," and "Improve"). Unfortunately, the steps do not naturally fit each project. For example, the "Problem" for the "Penny Battery" invention is that "It seems like every time you need to use a gadget, its battery is dead," yet the battery created will not be useful in traditional battery-operated items. Although couched in this sometimes awkward framework, the projects are interesting and educational. They vary in difficulty from simple activities that can be accomplished by a child without assistance using household items, to complex projects that require specialized parts, such as a voltmeter, power tools, and considerable adult involvement. Each project is explained with clear instructions and illustrated with color photographs of the process and final product.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2012
Grades 3-6 It's fun, it's free, and it's green! This title in the Invent It series focuses on using basic engineering skillsand your own imaginationto repurpose garbage. After leading readers through the Six Steps of Inventing, the book offers step-by-step numbered instructions for seven do-it-yourself projects. What to do with that old cell phone lying around? You can use the vibrating motor to make a small buglike robot. Plastic shopping bags may transform into a colorful rain poncho, while out-of-date textbooks serve as a hollowed-out hiding place for money and other valuables. These are not the simplest projects, and they require adult supervision at times, as well as careful measurement. While some reconfigurations might seem random (like turning plastic 8-pack soda rings into a lawn chair seat), they can serve as jumping-off points for further projects. In fact, additional ideas are provided throughoutfor instance, in the case of the poncho, shopping bags can also be recycled into a school bag or tent (no instructions provided). The projects will likely fire up imaginations and encourage eco responsibility.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)