The Story of Things

Gr 3–6—Vast of scope—though necessarily superficial in depth—this 10-spread import surveys the entire panorama of technology, from the invention of shaped stone tools to flat screen TVs and musical toilets. In a chronological (and Eurocentric) progression, Layton begins with unclothed, hairy apes fleeing predators and huddling in an unheated cave, then, in a loosely drawn cartoon style, moves on to depict highly selective advances by the Romans (plumbing, public toilets) and other ancient civilizations, during the Middle Ages ("Whither is thee privy?") and Renaissance, then on through the Age of Steam and the early 20th century ("perforated toilet roll") up to today. Most of the spreads are enhanced with pop-ups, sliders, or, more commonly, very small flaps along with tiny floating labels. Readers will come away with a certain amount of misinformation—no, Manhattan's Flatiron Building was not the "first skyscraper"—but at least some hints of the ways that technology has changed our lives. And restrooms.—John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York City