How Things Work — by Claire Monroe
How Big Machines Actually Work
How Big Machines Actually Work
50 real engineering secrets for kids aged 6–12. 120+ full-colour pages, 8 hands-on experiments — no jargon, just the actual answer.
1 copy includes 1 free eBook. Buying 2 or 3 copies? Select your free eBooks before checkout to get both.
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How Big Machines Actually Work
Does your kid ask "how does that work?" on repeat?
Excavators. Rockets. Trains. Formula 1 cars. If your child can't walk past a construction site or a plane without a hundred questions, How Big Machines Actually Work was written for exactly that kid — real engineering, explained properly, with no jargon and no dumbing down.
Turns machine-obsessed into book-obsessed
Screen time full of digger videos and truck channels? This book gives that same fascination somewhere to land — 50 real machines across 8 chapters, from everyday vehicles to extreme and record-breaking engineering.
Every machine gets a full two-page spread: hero image, cutaway diagram, engineering steps, and stat ratings for Power, Speed, Size, Complexity, and Wow Factor.
Not another picture book
120+ pages, fully illustrated in colour — but written to actually be read, not just flipped through. Real facts, real mechanics, real "did you know" moments most adults don't know either.
Plus 8 hands-on engineering experiments using household materials, one per chapter, each under 15 minutes.
Why kids love it
50 real machines — from excavators to space shuttles, across 8 chapters of everyday, extreme, and record-breaking engineering.
120+ full-colour pages — a two-page spread per machine, with a hero image, cutaway diagram, infographic, and stat ratings.
8 hands-on experiments — simple STEM experiments using household materials, one per chapter, each under 15 minutes.
Fits anywhere in their day
At home, as a gift, or in the backpack for the road. Whether it's propped open on their bedroom floor next to a pile of toy trucks, wrapped up for a birthday, or tucked into a school bag for the car ride, this book goes wherever the questions do. Short, self-contained two-page spreads mean there's no need to start from page one — just open to any machine and dive in.
Ready when they are
Testimonials
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★★★★★
Finally, A Book He Actually Wants to Read
“My son is obsessed with excavators, trains, and anything with an engine, but getting him interested in books is usually a struggle. He picked this up and immediately started showing me facts about the machines. It’s been such a nice change from watching videos all day.”
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★★★★★
Way More Detailed Than I Expected
“I thought it would mostly be pictures, but there’s actually a lot to learn. The diagrams explain things in a way my 9-year-old can understand without talking down to him. He especially loves all the little facts and machine stats.”
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★★★★★
A Birthday Gift That Was Actually a Hit
“Bought this for my grandson because he’s always asking how trucks and machines work. He opened it at his birthday and spent the rest of the afternoon looking through it. It feels substantial and well made too—not like a thin activity book.”
Frequently asked questions
Is this appropriate for a younger or older reader than 6–12?
Is this appropriate for a younger or older reader than 6–12?
The content is written for ages 6–12, but younger machine-obsessed kids will enjoy the images and being read to, and older kids/adults often find the engineering facts genuinely interesting too.
Is it too advanced for a reluctant reader?
Is it too advanced for a reluctant reader?
No — each machine is a short, self-contained two-page spread, so kids can dip in and out rather than reading cover to cover. No jargon, plain explanations.
What's included with the experiments?
What's included with the experiments?
8 hands-on engineering experiments using ordinary household materials — one per chapter, each designed to take under 15 minutes.
Can I return it if it's not the right fit?
Can I return it if it's not the right fit?
Yes — every order is backed by a 30-day guarantee.
How long does shipping take?
How long does shipping take?
All orders ship free. Exact delivery times are shown at checkout based on your address.