Computer Waiting Games: Things to Do While Downloading, Processing, or Crashing
by Hal Bownam
With a few basic supplies and a working computer, you can turn on-line frustration into plenty of rewarding creations. According to efficiency experts, the average computer user spends nine minutes every day waiting for files and web screens to download-that's more than 54 hours a year! With so much time-a-wasting, you need Computer Waiting Games, a collection of how-to projects, puzzles, games, and activities to do while your computer toils away. It's a great gift for the computer geek in your life.
Hal Bowman, a tech support consultant in New Jersey, developed the activities in this book after three years of working with a 28k modem and a 486/66 processor.
$14.95
Forty Knots to Know: Hitchs, Loops, Bends and Binding (Quick Starts for Kids!)
by Emily Stetson, Marc Nadel (illustrator), Sarah Raktin (Illustrator)
Great for all ages. The table of contents and index will guide those readers who already know the name of the knot they need. Introductory pages list and define types of knots and terminology, and a quiz helps readers decide what type of knot to use for specific kinds of tasks.
The "Fab Five Knots" chapter notes their uses and provides directions for square, two half hitches, figure-eight, bowline, and sheet bend knots, one of which is likely to be appropriate for any situation in which a knot is needed. Practicing tying, even in the dark, is emphasized. The step-by-step directions and diagrams with directional arrows are helpful.
$7.95
Mathematical Models
by Cundy & Rollett
For ages 11 and up, this is the classic book of detailed instructions for making a wide variety of mathematical models of all kinds. Complete nets are given for all regular Archimedean and stellated polyhedra together with a number of interesting compounds. There are sections on paper folding, dissections, curve stitching, linkages, the drawing of loci and envelopes and the construction of plane tessellations.
$25.00 
Paper-Folding Fun! 50 Awesome Crafts to Weave, Twist & Curl (Williamson Kids Can! Series)
by Ginger Johnson, Betsy Day (Illustrator)
Aimed at grades 3-5. Projects are presented, including books, jewelry, cards, mobiles, mats, and boxes. Each project begins with a picture of the finished product, a list of materials, and good, step-by-step directions with clear black-and-white illustrations. Materials used are inexpensive and readily available.
$12.95
Real-World Math for Hands-On-Fun! (Williamson Kids Can! Series)
by Cindy A. Littlefield, Michael Kline (Illustrator), Cynthia Littlefield
Aimed at Grades 3-5. The book includes interesting math tricks such as: determining how close a storm is by timing the interval between claps of thunder; how to decipher U.S. ZIP codes; innovative math-based craft projects and mathematical trivia. There are six sections discussing numbers, shapes, measurements, time, probability, and money. Historical background information is included. Easily obtainable kitchen or stationery-store supplies are required to complete the projects.
Many of the projects relate to everyday living. This book is a joy to teachers and curious kids.
$12.95
Vacuum Bazookas, Electric Rainbow Jelly, and 27 Other Saturday Science Projects
by Jim Wilkinson, Neil A. Downie
Downie runs a science club in England that teaches kids the physical principles behind technology. With his projects, he exhibits a playful attitude that disarms any hesitation about using everyday stuff, like radio-controlled toys, for example, for the basic gear that many of the projects require. Most of the projects illustrate the physics of waves or mechanics. For the more serious gadgeteer, Downie attaches to each project an explanation of the mathematics describing what's going on. But every project is built around inspiring delight and wonder.
There is an upgrade of the classic cups-and-string telecom technology. He illustrates the basic idea of modern smart-bomb warfare in the shape of a (perfectly safe) guided carpet missile.
Throughout the book, he sprinkles a number of amusing, useless, labor-saving devices: Anybody need a string-driven nutcracker? A great idea-book for the Erector set crowd.
$18.95
What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained
by Robert L. Wolke, Marlene Parrish
"Why do recipes call for unsalted butter and salt? What is a microwave, actually? Are smoked foods raw or cooked? Robert L. Wolke's enlightening and entertaining book offers answers to these and 127 other questions about everyday kitchen phenomena. "Organized into basic categories like "Sweet Talk" (questions involving sugar), "Fire and Ice" (we learn why water boils and freezers burn, among other things), and "Tools and Technology" (the best kind of frying pan, for example), the book also provides illustrative recipes like Black Raspberry Coffee Cake
(to demonstrate how metrics work in recipes) and Bob's Mahogany Game Hens (showing what brining can do). With technical illustrations, tips, and more, the book offers abundant evidence that learning the whys and hows of cooking can help us enjoy the culinary process almost as much as its results. With its zest for the truth, this book will help cooks learn how to make more intelligent choices." An very entertaining and very useful book.
$25.95
Slice Forms