
A parent might reach for this book when their child's curiosity about technology extends beyond using a tablet to asking how it all began. This visually rich book answers that question, charting the incredible journey of human communication from ancient cave paintings and smoke signals to the printing press and the complex digital world we live in today. It celebrates human ingenuity, creativity, and the persistent drive to connect with one another. Perfect for kids aged 9-14, it makes abstract concepts like binary code and the internet understandable, turning a potentially dry topic into a thrilling adventure through history.
As a historical overview, the book does not contain personal sensitive topics like divorce or death. Its approach is secular and focuses on innovation. It may briefly mention conflicts in the context of communication development (e.g., code-breaking), but the focus remains on technological progress rather than human tragedy.
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Sign in to write a reviewA 10-year-old who just received a coding kit and is fascinated by how computers 'think'. Also, a 12-year-old history buff who prefers graphic novels and visually-driven storytelling over traditional textbooks. It is for the curious child who loves to understand the 'how' and 'why' behind the technology they use every day.
No specific prep is needed; the book is designed to be accessible. However, parents may want to read the later chapters on binary code or network protocols with their child to help unpack the more complex concepts. The book provides a great opportunity for co-learning and hands-on activities, like creating a secret code together. The child asks a big, foundational question: "How does the internet get to our house?" or "Who invented writing?" The parent wants a resource that is more engaging than an encyclopedia entry but just as informative, turning a moment of curiosity into a deeper exploration.
A 9-year-old will be captivated by the vibrant illustrations and the 'wow' facts about early inventions like cuneiform tablets and the printing press. They will grasp the overall timeline of progress. A 14-year-old will engage more deeply with the conceptual threads, understanding how one invention enabled the next and considering the social impact of mass media and the internet.
Unlike many history books that silo topics, this one threads a single, powerful concept (the transmission of information) through all of human history. Its signature DK visual storytelling, combined with Haughton and Park's engaging style, makes abstract ideas tangible. It's not just a history of technology, it is a history of a fundamental human need, giving it a unique, narrative-driven, and humanistic perspective.
A chronological, illustrated nonfiction account of how humans have recorded and transmitted information. The book covers key milestones: oral traditions, the invention of writing (cuneiform, hieroglyphs), the alphabet, paper, the printing press, the telegraph, radio, television, computers, and the internet. It frames these technological leaps as creative solutions to the fundamental human problem of sharing ideas across distance and time.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.