PRODUCT SUMMARY

For sale in U.S. and Canada only-- In Engines, inhabitants of Mammoth Island look for an alternative to mammoths to speed up pizza delivery. They decide to experiment with different engines and discover how each works -- from simple rockets to turbofan jet engines to gasoline engines. Comparing the advantages and drawbacks of these internal combustion engines, the islanders determine which one will serve their business best and ensure their pizzas are delivered on time. Part of the multivolume series The Way Things Work, based on the best-selling book by David Macaulay. Includes a Teacher's Guide.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

"...The fun story, science, and process of problem-solving are given equal attention in this well-rounded presentation, making for a solid educational program that's also genuinely entertaining...Highly recommended. Editor's Choice."- Video Librarian (Sept/Oct 2003)

"The series is humorous, informative and very educational. Explanations are clear and relevant, with neccesary diagrams to explain exactly how things work...These are exceptional physics videos that merit a place in all educational collections."- School Library Journal (August 2003)

FULL REVIEWS

Video Librarian (September 2003)

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Presenting complex engineering and physics concepts in kid-friendly, animated, bite-size chunks, the 26-volume The Way Things Work, based on David Macaulay's popular book of the same name, looks at Belts & Gears, Cooling, Electricity, Friction, Heat, Levers, Pumps, and Steam Power, among other topics. Engines tells a story near and dear to a youngster's heart (or stomach): namely, how a pizza business, through trial and error, is able to speed up its delivery time. Mammoth Pizza (which, yes, uses the wooly beast to deliver the hot pies) first tries a simple rocket to get food to its customers more quickly, a very speedy alternative that, unfortunately, has a major problem (no brakes; meaning it runs full-throttle until the fuel source is exhausted). Other (increasingly controllable) methods are tried (moving through the process of using solid fuel, to a liquid-and-oxygen mix, and finally to jet propulsion) as complex concepts are explained via easy-to-grasp diagrams and cutaway drawings. The fun story, science, and process of problem-solving are all given equal attention in this well-rounded presentation, making for a solid educational program that's also genuinely entertaining. The study guide includes a program summary, glossary of science terms, discussion questions, and suggested Internet and print resources. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice.

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