Michael's Racing Machine

While building a racing car, a pair of friends provide an easy-to-understand lesson in how simple machines are all around us, making our work more efficient. Michael and Lucy show readers that a broom is a lever, nails are wedges and a screwdriver is both a lever and a wheel-and-axle in this full-colour, illustrated story book. The two also prove that curious children can be just like scientists, making observations and using how and what questions to explore physical science principles they encounter all the time.

Michael’s Racing Machine is part of the I Wonder Why book series, written to ignite the curiosity of children in years F–6 while encouraging them to become avid readers.

The I Wonder Why series is a set of science books created specifically for young learners who are in their first years of school. The content for each book was chosen to be appropriate for youngsters who are beginning to construct knowledge of the world around them. These youngsters ask questions. They want to know about things. They are more curious than they will be when they are a decade older. Research shows that science is students’ favourite subject when they enter school for the first time.

These books explore the marvels of light, colour, machines, sound and other phenomena related to physical science. Included in each volume is a Parent/Teacher Handbook with coordinating activities. The I Wonder Why series is written by an award-winning science educator. After completing a science activity, rereading or referring back to the book and talking about connections with the activity can be a deepening experience that stabilises the learning as a long-term memory.