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Science Comics: Robots and Drones: Past, Present, and Future by Jacob Chabot, Mairghread Scott
rkiladitis's review against another edition
5.0
The latest volume of Science Comics takes a deeper look at robots. With Poulli, a birdlike robot that's also the first machine to ever fly through the sky (back in 350 BCE!), as our guide, readers get a guided tour through the history of robotics, and learn what is versus what isn't a robot. New, programmable coffeemakers? Robots! Remote-controlled cars - not really. Kids get a refresher on simple machines (levels and pulleys) and how those simple concepts formed the building blocks for more complex machines, eventually leading to modern technology, robots, and drones. There's a focus on the good robots and drones can accomplish (for those techno-phobes who see The Terminator as our eventual future) and the human component of computer programming. Isaac Asimov, legendary scientist and science fiction writer who gave us the Three Laws of Robotics, gets some recognition here, too.
There's a nice shout-out to libraries and after-school programs as places to go to learn more about getting into programming and robotics, and some cool pop culture nods that parents will recognize (Star Trek and KITT from Knight Rider, to name a couple). The artwork features diverse characters putting their learning into practice, and the history of robotics covers diverse areas of the world. Poulli is a friendly, cute guide that will appeal to readers, and the language - as with all Science Comics - is easy to understand but never dumbs down information.
There's a Hall of Awesome Robots, spotlighting 25 robots from history; a closer look at how drones work, and a glossary of new terms to finish up the volume.
Me? I immediately add the newest Science Comics to my shopping cart ; they're a great add for my "True Story" nonfiction section, where I put books that may get lost on the actual nonfiction shelves, but will grab attention on their own. Plus, my True Story section is next to my Graphic Novels shelf, so it's a win all around.
There's a nice shout-out to libraries and after-school programs as places to go to learn more about getting into programming and robotics, and some cool pop culture nods that parents will recognize (Star Trek and KITT from Knight Rider, to name a couple). The artwork features diverse characters putting their learning into practice, and the history of robotics covers diverse areas of the world. Poulli is a friendly, cute guide that will appeal to readers, and the language - as with all Science Comics - is easy to understand but never dumbs down information.
There's a Hall of Awesome Robots, spotlighting 25 robots from history; a closer look at how drones work, and a glossary of new terms to finish up the volume.
Me? I immediately add the newest Science Comics to my shopping cart ; they're a great add for my "True Story" nonfiction section, where I put books that may get lost on the actual nonfiction shelves, but will grab attention on their own. Plus, my True Story section is next to my Graphic Novels shelf, so it's a win all around.
j_j_catcrazydragon's review against another edition
4.0
This way more factual and older than some of the others in the series. No fictional story added to soften the technical facts and information overload. But, for those inclined (my 9yr old niece), it's apparently heaven.
scostner's review against another edition
4.0
Science Comics continues to expand the list of topics available, this time exploring the fascinating field of robots and drones. Going back to 350 B.C., the author traces the development of machines created to imitate the flight of birds up to today's military drones and drone racing. Early automatons that had only one possible response to input are compared with today's assistants like Siri and Alexa which can complete a range of tasks. Along the way there are explanations of the difference between a robot and a remote-controlled machine, and examples of robots we encounter in everyday life. There is also a discussion of the fear many people have of robots, with portrayals in movies such as the Terminator series or in novels such as Isaac Asimov's I, Robot.
This series follows in the tradition of the Magic School Bus and the Max Axiom books by sharing science concepts through a graphic format. In this case, the comic style illustrations bring the history of robots and drones to life for readers. There are plenty of facts, and a helpful glossary. This book is an excellent introduction and offers enough details to give readers a good place to start researching the topic more deeply on their own.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
This series follows in the tradition of the Magic School Bus and the Max Axiom books by sharing science concepts through a graphic format. In this case, the comic style illustrations bring the history of robots and drones to life for readers. There are plenty of facts, and a helpful glossary. This book is an excellent introduction and offers enough details to give readers a good place to start researching the topic more deeply on their own.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
poetryfreak38's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting graphic novel about robts and drones. I really like this series for kids. It has a lot of great information and the art is pretty good. This wasn't my favorite of the series, but if you have a kid interested in technology this may be a good fit for them. I recieved a free copy this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review. This title is scheduled to be released at the end of March.
elizabethlk's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
This is a really solid and engaging introduction to robots. It covers a lot of historical ground, manages to go over how they work and what the future could be like, and it goes over ways kids can get involved in making them or imagining that future. It doesn't cover drones quite as thoroughly, but it covers the most basic aspects.
Definitely recommended for any science-y kids. Also recommended for adults who don't know much about robots, want to learn, and need an accessible foot in the door.
This is a really solid and engaging introduction to robots. It covers a lot of historical ground, manages to go over how they work and what the future could be like, and it goes over ways kids can get involved in making them or imagining that future. It doesn't cover drones quite as thoroughly, but it covers the most basic aspects.
Definitely recommended for any science-y kids. Also recommended for adults who don't know much about robots, want to learn, and need an accessible foot in the door.
elizabethlk's review
4.0
3.5 stars.
This is a really solid and engaging introduction to robots. It covers a lot of historical ground, manages to go over how they work and what the future could be like, and it goes over ways kids can get involved in making them or imagining that future. It doesn't cover drones quite as thoroughly, but it covers the most basic aspects.
Definitely recommended for any science-y kids. Also recommended for adults who don't know much about robots, want to learn, and need an accessible foot in the door.
This is a really solid and engaging introduction to robots. It covers a lot of historical ground, manages to go over how they work and what the future could be like, and it goes over ways kids can get involved in making them or imagining that future. It doesn't cover drones quite as thoroughly, but it covers the most basic aspects.
Definitely recommended for any science-y kids. Also recommended for adults who don't know much about robots, want to learn, and need an accessible foot in the door.
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