The Phone Book: Instant Communication from Smoke Signals to Satellites and Beyond

Ray Doiron is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at the
University of Prince Edward Island and the Preschool to Grade 6
nonfiction reviews co-ordinator at Resource Links.

The telephone and its connection to our vast telecommunications network
is something most children take for granted. This book explores the
history of telecommunications—from the early visual telegraph of the
Greeks, to Morse’s telegraph, to Bell’s telephone and today’s
complex telecommunication networks—and the many ways it has become
integrated into our daily lives. Children will enjoy the book’s
fast-paced format, conversational style, and humorous and informative
text.

The main text uses a chronological sequence to trace the development of
the telephone. It also provides the reader with a variety of information
on the social implications of the telephone, the many uses and designs
of telephones, and specialty features such as answering machines, faxes,
and modems. Woven into the text are sidebars, timelines, biographical
notes, fun activities to do at home, anecdotes about inventions and
inventors, and scientific experiments. While the illustrations are
animated and lively, the pastel colors appear faded and washed out.

This book would be useful for school projects on inventions and may
interest children keen on exploring modern technology. Recommended.