EVERYTHING TESLA | Kirkus Reviews

Aiden and Eliana Miao present a comprehensive guide to the electric car company Tesla, written by kids, for kids.

Two young siblings who became big Tesla fans after their family bought one of the manufacturer’s automobiles (“our first cool car”) guide readers through every detail of the company’s vehicles, from internal features to where and how they’re built. Designed with a younger audience in mind, the book largely consists of diagrams and pictures overlaid with plenty of fun facts and information illustrating various points (“What do cheetahs and Teslas have in common? They can both accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in under 3 seconds!”). Readers are shown detailed computer-generated images of every part of the vehicle, running the gamut from interior details to a breakdown of the magnets used to make the cars run. Some of the information is incorporated into fun activities, such as a maze that readers can complete to discover how the “Octovalve controls the flow of coolants and refrigerants when the outside temperature is cold and the car cabin, where you sit in the car, needs to be heated.” Maps illustrate concentrations of Tesla charging stations, and a multi-page timeline gives visual representation to Tesla’s history as a company. The section on Tesla’s safety features includes an explanation of why the electric motors were moved to the bottom of the car and highlights the importance of the car’s ability to spin during an accident: “Why is a spinning car good? In a side-on impact at the front or rear, a low polar moment of inertia means the energy of the collision is transferred easily into a spinning movement and away from the passengers.”

While conveyed in terms simple enough for kids to understand, much of the information involves detailed explanations and obscure facts that will also likely appeal to older auto enthusiasts. The authors explicitly state that their book is not endorsed by Tesla, but it’s clear that this is a love letter of sorts to the company (as opposed to an impartial look at its business practices): “Teslas are more than ordinary cars. They are a new generation of electric vehicles, reinventing a cleaner and safer world. One Tesla at a time.” The book lacks of any sort of criticism about the corporation, ignoring the potential flaws in Tesla’s autopilot system and accusations that the company has throttled battery life and slowed charging speeds. The aesthetically appealing format and the downright fascinating facts that are included, however, more than make up for any excessive cheerleading. With its eye-pleasing design and engaging factoids about electric cars, the guide manages to be both informative and whimsical; when discussing Tesla’s use of adaptive suspension, the authors point out that “A smoother ride can result in better performance and less nauseous parents.” A short section near the end discusses the impact that cars have on global warming and how the use of electric cars can help ease the effects. The clear and concise text, informative graphics, and fun tidbits scattered throughout combine for a truly fun read.

An impressively thorough look at all things Tesla that will appeal to any kids (and adults) interested in cars.