Title: The Amazing Scientific Adventures of Harvy, a Brilliant Cane
Author: Sheldon Weinbaum
Publisher: ‎ Archway Publishing
ISBN: 148086885
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: ‎ 60
Reviewed by: David Allen
Read Book Review

Follow the adventures of PG, a lovable and very smart older gentleman and his walking cane Harvy, as they twist and turn through one amazing encounter with science after another. PG and his ever-faithful companion Harvy explore an air and space museum; Seattle; and the National Academy of Science (among other notable venues), each affording a wry and always informative window into scientific fact and lore. The reader accompanies the inseparable PG and his cane, as PG explains nightmares, snow, flotation, gravity, and the solar system. There is even a chapter explaining how engineering may someday create high speed trains that fly.

The information is lovingly served up in tasteful portions that expand the awareness and knowledge of kids young and old. The narrative style is tongue in cheek, with frequent forays into humor and commentary. There really is something here for readers of all ages (the targeted reading audience is 9-12 years old); the explanations of how things work range from simple to sophisticated and they welcome all comers. The humorous and well-done illustrations further sweeten the deal.

What is particularly attractive in The Amazing Scientific Adventures of Harvy, a Brilliant Cane is the almost palpable presence of the grandfatherly narrator making wondrous nature understandable to younger folks. The book is a feast of the mind for curious younger readers as well as a terrific read aloud for parents, grandmas and grandpas. Mind-boggling phenomena such as aviation and buoyancy are patiently portrayed and explained.

Harvy and PG accomplish another super important task: they tenderly and comfortably acquaint younger readers with the world of older people. Harvy the cane is not an object to be feared. The cane (and by extension, some of the other accompaniments of getting older) are welcome tools to be appreciated and understood.

The author, Sheldon Weinbaum, is a grandfather and a scientist. No surprise! This clever and highly readable book distills the essence of his experience as a professor of biomedical engineering and a member of scientific academies. (Some of Dr. Weinbaum’s scientific papers are listed as references at the end of the book.) The author’s flair for telling whimsical stories to children that stimulate their imagination and pique their interest in science comes across loud and clear on every page of this delightful volume.