Select examples of technology "bioinspired" by observations of adaptations or behavior in the natural world.The veteran science writer not only neglects to mention such well-established examples as the invention of Velcro and the essential historical influence of bird wing structure on airplane wing design, but most of the links she does point to are indirect at best. For instance, she writes about honeybee strategies for cooling hives but then offers an entirely speculative connection to human technology. Nor does she demonstrate precisely how human-made camouflage patterns were based on those of animals, and she makes only a vague connection between diving beetles and water scorpions and the way diving bells carry air underwater ("No one knows for sure what inspired some inventions that helped divers breathe"). The line she draws between dolphin echolocation and the invention of sonar is a tenuous one ("Was Boyle's invention inspired by dolphins echolocating? He didn't leave a written record identifying the inspiration for his invention"); the connection grows even more strained when she arbitrarily extends it to the light-based "lidar" that self-driving cars use. Unlike the narrative's fuzzy choices and logic, the many photos and diagrams are sharp and well worth poring over, with plenty of images that are both enjoyable and informative. Human figures are generally small and distant.Attractive visuals, but sketchy text. (glossary, source list, index) (Nonfiction. 8-10)

Gr 4–6— The term "bioinspiration" may be a new one for young readers, but they will be fascinated to learn about how inventors observe animal strategies and adaptations to inspire new creations. Six pairs of animals and the subsequent technological advancements they've inspired are explored. Though the term "bioinspiration" was only coined in the 1960s, researchers estimate people have been observing animals and their adaptations as far back as cave men learning to camouflage after watching animals do the same. Seemingly dissimilar animal pairs are featured, such as honeybees and termites, each having to adapt to stay cool to survive. Their adaptations inspired early settlers to use evaporative cooling, which in turn has led to the modern invention of evaporative coolers. Some of the adaptations may be unfamiliar to readers, such as the connection between geckos and sandcastle worms, both of whom face sticky challenges. Geckos have been studied to see how they can adhere to walls, which scientists have used to create Geckskin for soldiers. Sandcastle worms create a gluelike substance that protects them underwater, and researchers were able to study them to create surgical glue. Markle's incorporation of magnified and detailed color photographs make the scientific explorations reachable for young scientists. Brimming with full-color photographs and fascinating animals facts, STEM connections are plentiful. VERDICT Budding young scientists will undoubtedly learn much from this title, and may imagine the role they could play in future bioinspired innovations.— Michele Shaw