"But Simple Machines Made Simple isn't your typical picture book. Instead of drawings, the book features working models that kids can interact with, like spinning a wheel, sliding a knob up an inclined plane, and pushing a wedge into a block that splits into two. The kids may not graduate with a physics degree, but they might come away with a curiosity for the world around them."
"Roberts, who spent the better part of a decade making phone apps, moved away from technology in 2021 to more tangible objects that can teach kids basic and useful skills. His first book, Computer Engineering for Babies (2021), used buttons and LEDs to explain to kids how computers "think" by teaching them basic logic gates like NOT, AND, OR, and XOR. The sequel, Computer Engineering for Big Babies (2023), swapped buttons for rocker switches and introduced more LEDs to challenge slightly older readers."
Simple Machines Made Simple demystifies mechanical engineering for children as young as one by using physical, interactive working models rather than illustrations. Children can spin wheels, slide knobs up inclined planes, push wedges that split blocks, and manipulate simple pulleys and levers to build intuitive understanding of forces and motion. Prior interactive books explained basic computer logic using buttons, LEDs, and switches to introduce logic gates and computing concepts to young readers. The project raised over seven times its Kickstarter goal and is slated to ship early next year. The approach emphasizes hands-on exploration to foster curiosity and foundational skills despite ubiquitous digital answers.
Read at Fast Company
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