The Motorboat Book    by Ed Sobey Order:  USA  Can Chicago Review Press, 2013 (2013) Softcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch Aspiring engineers and ship-building hobbyists will love this innovative, new guide that explains how to construct miniature boats that really work. Styrofoam plates, milk cartons, aluminum bins and other recycled materials are just some of the basic supplies you'll find around the house that can be transformed into various kinds of boats. You'll also discover that balloons, gears, pumps, belt drives, chemical reactions, steam, fans and even gravity can be harnessed to provide the necessary power to make your boat skim upon the water's surface. Speaking of water, the author provides instructions on how to construct your own test tank where you can see just how well your creations actually work. Since you will need water pumps and waterproof battery and motor cases, those plans are also included in the book. In fact, there are even plans included for making a working foghorn and a wave making device. Those young, bathtub mariners fascinating by submarines will be delighted to discover there are six different submarine projects included in the guide. At the back of the book you'll find a listing of Sources for Materials, a Glossary of Nautical Terms and a brief discussion of Meeting Science Standards. Children nine years of age and older will find the boat building activities in The Motorboat Book provide hours of fun. Since these projects utilize STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts and methods, teachers and parents home schooling their children will also be interested in this valuable resource book. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews