A ridiculously simplistic apology for science and technology. Bova sets up a straw idiot who cries "get rid of science and technology" and "stop research" (anti-science spokesmen "cry" and "blame" here, while scientists and engineers "point out"), then mows him down by reminding us that no one would want to live without fire like homo erectus. . . or even caked with grime and dying like the gentle Tasaday. And that though some here seek a return to medieval subsistence farming, those in India and elsewhere who do live that way are striving to enter the 20th century. (He doesn't assess the prospects for human survival after everyone gets there.) It is science and technology, Bova goes on, that eliminated slavery and brought wealth which made workers' lives richer. As for scientists making the atom bomb, "nuclear science has saved more lives than it has taken" and its second generation promise is endless. Further, "if Frankenstein really existed, his knowledge would be used to help sick people. . . so scientists are really on our side"—and, in fact, it is their unheralded work that has caused the U.S. and Soviet Russia to head in the direction of a "safer and saner" world. (?) Because Bova never faces the hard questions—preferring to answer stupid ones like "if you scientists really believe in evolution why do you call it a theory"—he won't win over any thoughtful humanities types who have serious reservations about the long run benefits of runaway technology. And as for those others who are taking up the occult: If it is simultaneously likely that they (a) pose a threat to the rule of reason and (b) are open to persuasion by reason, then a serious, point-by-point investigation such as Gallant's Astrology (KR, 1974) should be more convincing.
Pub Date: April 1, 1975
ISBN: 0664325572
Page Count: 123
Publisher: Westminster
Review Posted Online: March 20, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1975
A festive invitation to creative liberation.
A pleasingly tactile exploration of the possibilities inherent in mistakes.
"A torn piece of paper... / is just the beginning!" Spills, folded paper, drips of paint, smudges and smears—they "all can make magic appear." An increasingly complex series of scenarios celebrates random accidents, encouraging artistic experimentation rather than discouragement. The folded-over paper can be a penguin's head; a torn piece of newsprint can turn into a smiling dog with a little application of paint; a hot-chocolate stain can become a bog for a frog. Thanks to a telescoping pop-up, a hole is filled with nearly limitless possibilities. The interactive elements work beautifully with the photo-collaged "mistakes," never overwhelming the intent with showiness. Saltzberg's trademark cartoon animals provide a sweetly childlike counterpoint to the artful scribbles and smears of gloppy paint.
A festive invitation to creative liberation. (Pop-up. 4-12)Pub Date: Sept. 23, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7611-5728-1
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: Dec. 10, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2010
This genuinely clever math book uses rhyming couplets and riddles, as well as visual cues to help the reader find new ways to group numbers for quick counting. It’s a return to number sets, with none of those boring parentheses and <>signs. Here the rhyme gives a clue to the new ways of grouping numbers. For example: “Mama mia, pizza pie, / How many mushrooms do you spy? / Please don’t count them, it’s too slow, / This hot pie was made to go! / Let me give you some advice, / Just do half and count it twice.” A quick look at the pizza, and the reader can see each slice has the same number of mushrooms. Count by threes for half the pie, and double it. Each rhyme is given a double-page spread. The extra-large, brightly colored images leap off the page but never distract from the author’s intent. Some riddles are very challenging, but the author provides all the solutions in the back. Once the reader has seen the answers, the strategy is obvious and can be applied to other situations. Great fun for math enthusiasts and creative thinkers, this might also teach adults some new tricks. A winning addition. (Nonfiction. 7-10)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-439-21033-X
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2000
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