{"product_id":"smash-crash-topple-roll-the-inventive-rube-goldberg-a-life-in-comics-contraptions-and-six-simple-machines-9781452144221","title":"Smash, Crash, Topple, Roll!: The Inventive Rube Goldberg--A Life in Comics, Contraptions, and Six Simple Machines","description":"\u003cb\u003eA joyfully illustrated picture book biography of Rube Goldberg for STEM-loving children and the many people who enjoy doing simple tasks the hard way.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAward-winning author Catherine Thimmesh's irresistibly engaging text and artist Shanda McCloskey's energetic, cartoon-style artwork introduce readers to the life and creative legacy of Rube Goldberg, the world-famous inventor of crazy contraptions. A rollicking educational kids' book that is part biography, part inspiration, and part physics how-to, \u003ci\u003eSmash, Crash, Topple, Roll!\u003c\/i\u003e posits the ultimate question ... why do \u003ci\u003eanything\u003c\/i\u003e the simple way? (Especially if, for instance, there is a catapult option?) \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Because, of course, there are lots of things you can do the simple way: \u003cbr\u003e Set an alarm, \u003cbr\u003e flip a switch, \u003cbr\u003e open a door, \u003cbr\u003e toast some bread . . . \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e But what if, \u003ci\u003einstead\u003c\/i\u003e, you did things the Rube Goldberg way? \u003cbr\u003e Endlessly entertaining, \u003cbr\u003e needlessly complex, \u003cbr\u003e and achieving a delicate balance of physics, humor, and excitement! \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The book includes an overview of the six simple machines that power most of Goldberg's inventions and puts the tools for making real-life Rube Goldberg machines right into readers' hands. It's the perfect thing to spark the imaginations of budding inventors, artists, and thinkers of all ages--because the most promising relationships with science start not with a textbook but with the willingness to break stuff and ask silly questions! \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSCIENCE MADE FUN: Sure to excite students, teachers, and parents looking for a playful, hands-on way to dive into the sciences and connect to STEM and STEAM efforts in schools, where Rube Goldberg machines are already in use, this book offers a fun way to approach the sometimes-daunting subject of physics. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e INSPIRATIONAL AWESOMENESS: There are more and better opportunities for kids to embrace and explore a love of science and engineering today, and Rube Goldberg was an artist, too! This is the perfect book to encourage the scientist and artist in every kid. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e POPULAR SUBJECT FOR KIDS: There are over 1 million views of various Rube Goldberg videos on YouTube featuring overly complicated ways to turn a page, pass the salt, water a plant, and more. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePerfect for: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Young makers \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Parents, grandparents, and caregivers encouraging budding engineers and artists \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Classroom book or gift for teachers \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Rube Goldberg fans of all ages \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Chronicle Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/06\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781452144221\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 60\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.75h x 11.25w x 0.38d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/01\/2025\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Catherine Thimmesh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45169550426293,"sku":"9781452144221","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_e1e87aa8-89bf-4c68-85ab-f664f1c3a25f.jpg?v=1741703555","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/smash-crash-topple-roll-the-inventive-rube-goldberg-a-life-in-comics-contraptions-and-six-simple-machines-9781452144221","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}