Whose Bright Idea Was It? is a contribution to the genre of books that present us with lists of interesting, unusual, and humorous facts. It’s aimed at kids as well as “children of all ages.”

Larry Verstraete, the author of two science books for children, Mysteries of Time and The Serendipity Effect, has collected the stories behind more than 100 common inventions ranging from Post-It Notes and chocolate chip cookies to computers and snowmobiles. The stories are presented in categories such as food favourites, home helpers, games, and toys, and some are emphasized to illustrate the process that led to the invention. Unfortunately, this cannot entirely hide the similarity of many of the tales.

The text is a column format, with added sidebars of related information, unrelated facts on other inventions, and occasional small sketches. There are also short quizzes at the beginning of each section, and selected stories are highlighted with a border. This is all done in an attempt to enliven the look of a book that has no flashy illustrations to appeal to its readers. However, the overall effect is of clutter, and I found that having to jump back and forth between the different presentations interrupted the reading flow.

The stories of the inventions are well, if lightly, told, although they often downplay the extraordinary persistence of the inventor. Sometimes the text focuses on adult concerns that are of little interest to a 10-year-old: for example, “Got a squeaky door? How about a stubborn crayon mark on the wall? A wad of gum in the carpet? Reach for WD-40.”

There is something in this book for all ages, but there is probably not enough to really capture anyone’s interest. Children will possibly drift away because of the sameness of the stories, and adults (and probably many kids) will crave more detail. This is a book best left for dipping into in idle moments. Nevertheless, its low price and the snappy computer graphic cover will doubtless ensure sales.