Smash, Crash, Topple, Roll!: The Inventive Rube Goldberg—A Life in Comics, Contraptions, and Six Simple ­Machines

Gr 2-6–This fun picture book biography of the puzzle icon doubles as inspiration for STEM-loving children to create their own Rube Goldberg machines. Thimmesh’s engaging text explains who Goldberg was before providing real-life examples of famous Goldberg machines that spring to life with McCloskey’s cartoon-style artwork. The chain reactions in these complicated machines are broken down into six simple machines: the lever, the wheel and axle, the inclined plane, the wedge, the screw, and the pulley. These physics examples are interspersed with more biographical information. While some of the science goes in-depth and is best suited to older elementary and even middle school students, the youngest of budding inventors will get a physics primer and enjoy the playful and colorful illustrations. Back matter includes a glossary; a lengthy list of sources; and lists of websites with videos of some contraptions, contests, and makerspaces.