Review by Booklist Review
This browsable title presents fascinating facts about inventions inspired by nature, showing the similarities between the workings of I-beams and the make-up of dinosaur vertebrae; the mechanics of sailboats and the physiognomy of jellyfish; and the movements of giant squids and jet engine design. Organized by broad categories ( Buildings, Fastenings, Hydraulics ), the examples and images are vivid, though Gates does not always distinguish between inventors' deliberately copying nature and coincidental similarities between natural and human-designed features. With several different types of text on each spread introductory text, examples, explanatory captions, and more as well as illustrations, photos, and diagrams, the book may be too busy for some to read straight through, though the organization will attract reluctant readers and browsers. The well-chosen images are both inviting and clearly illustrate the points made in the text and captions. The back matter includes an index and a glossary of scientific terms, but pronunciations are omitted. This is an informative, appealing look at the connections between natural and human design.--Aronin, Miriam Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-Blending natural science and technology, Gates packs a tremendous amount of information into this large, colorful volume. Through clear, full-color photographs, illustrations, and magnifications, he compares the structure of a tree and a cathedral; suckers on an octopus's tentacles and suction cups; a plant's burrs and Velcro; rose thorns and barbed wire; the nautilus (a primitive mollusk) and a submarine, etc. Some comparisons are a stretch. The author asserts that future inventions will be inspired by nature as humans learn more about the millions of yet undiscovered organisms in our world. This title is more for browsing than reports, although it could certainly be used as a starting point for science projects.æKathleen McCabe, East Meadow Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Close-up color photographs and imaginative illustrations bring out unexpected links between nature and technology, such as the similarity between spider webs and aircraft carriers and the affinity between trains and centipedes. Despite the book's title, it is more likely that humans devised solutions and ideas similar to those found in nature, rather than being directly inspired by them. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
