Impossible Inventions by the Mizielinskis

Impossible Inventions, by the same team who brought you Maps, is quirky, informative, and possibly inspiring.  Ages 8-12

Impossible Inventions: Ideas that Shouldn’t Work by Matgorzata Mycielska and Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski.  Gecko Press, 2017, 119 pages

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10

Recommended for: ages 8-12

“It begins with a dream or a need—a brilliant idea pops into the mind of a would be inventor, or a person wants something that doesn’t yet exist, and they work hard to bring it into being.”  What about a passenger dragon?  Or a bubble messenger?  Why doesn’t someone invent a flying bird suit or aircycle?  Someone has!  In the first century, someone even invented temple doors that opened automatically with no human hand involved. Not that all these bright ideas actually worked, or were especially useful when they did, but we have to give the inventors credit for imagination.

The same creative team who gave us Maps now presents a whirlwind tour of little-known inventions from 600 B.C. up to today.  The whimsical illustrations and simple explanations of how the contraptions worked (or were supposed to work) will provide hours of entertainment for the technologically-minded in your household.  They may even inspire a homemade invention or two.  (Like an improvement on the flatulence deodorizer on page 6.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!)

Cautions: None. (Well, except for the flatulence deodorizer, which I already warned you about)

Overall rating: 4 (out of 5)

  • Worldview/moral value: 3.5
  • Artistic value: 4.5

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

FREE Bible Guide!

Get a guide to the Best Bibles for Children and Teens. Perfect for an Easter gift.

Janie Cheaney

Janie is the VERY senior staff writer for Redeemed Reader, as well as a long-time contributor to WORLD Magazine and an author of nine books for children. The rest of the time she's long-distance smooching on her four grandchildren (not an easy task). She lives with her equally senior husband of almost-fifty years in the Ozarks of Missouri.

We'd love to hear from you!

Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!

Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.