他可能会喜欢 David Macaulay 的《The Way Things Work》（http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473/ ）。另外，普通的图书馆也很适合，包括大学图书馆。一些关于在家自学（homeschooling）的书（比如 Grace Llewellyn 的《Teenage Liberation Handbook》）里到处都是自学的指引。
He might like David Macaulay's _The Way Things Work_ ( http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473/ ). Also, libraries in general, including university libraries. Some books on homeschooling (such as Grace Llewellyn's _Teenage Liberation Handbook_) are full of pointers for self-study.
我最喜欢的是 David Macaulay 写的《The New Way Things Work》。小时候超级爱这本书，它真的激发了我去搞懂世界运转原理的兴趣（书名起得太精准了）。
My favourite is "The New Way Things Work" by David Macaulay. Loved this book as a kid, it really got me into trying to figure out how the world worked (the title really nailed it).
你看的是《The Way Things Work》还是《The New Way Things Work》？我差不多也是那时候看的后一本。我觉得扩展出来的计算机章节（比尔的大门 Bill's Gates！）帮助特别大。我到现在都还很喜欢那个把猛犸象图像变成一串……的插图。
Did you have The Way Things Work or The New Way Things Work? I had the latter around the same time. I thought the extended computer section (Bill's Gates!) was very helpful. I still really like the visual in which the image of a mammoth is turned into a series…
…fictional narrative is deeply engaging to curious minds but also very forgiving of a child's fickle attention. I'm within arm's reach of the copy I was given almost twenty years ago. http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473
我记不太清了，但我记得《The New Way Things Work》里好像带有一点轻度故事元素。编辑：刚看到你说要不依赖图片的，那这本就不符合了。不过无论如何我都强烈推荐，只是可能不太适合你说的这个具体场景
I can't remember exactly, but I think there was some kind of light story element to "The New Way Things Work" Edit: just noticed the bit about not reliant on pictures, that rules that one out. I recommend it regardless, but maybe not for the exact use-case you're describing
他可能会喜欢 David Macaulay 的《The Way Things Work》（http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473/ ）。另外，普通的图书馆也很适合，包括大学图书馆。一些关于在家自学（homeschooling）的书（比如 Grace Llewellyn 的《Teenage Liberation Handbook》）里到处都是自学的指引。
He might like David Macaulay's _The Way Things Work_ ( http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473/ ). Also, libraries in general, including university libraries. Some books on homeschooling (such as Grace Llewellyn's _Teenage Liberation Handbook_) are full of pointers for self-study.
我最喜欢的是 David Macaulay 写的《The New Way Things Work》。小时候超级爱这本书，它真的激发了我去搞懂世界运转原理的兴趣（书名起得太精准了）。
My favourite is "The New Way Things Work" by David Macaulay. Loved this book as a kid, it really got me into trying to figure out how the world worked (the title really nailed it).
你看的是《The Way Things Work》还是《The New Way Things Work》？我差不多也是那时候看的后一本。我觉得扩展出来的计算机章节（比尔的大门 Bill's Gates！）帮助特别大。我到现在都还很喜欢那个把猛犸象图像变成一串……的插图。
Did you have The Way Things Work or The New Way Things Work? I had the latter around the same time. I thought the extended computer section (Bill's Gates!) was very helpful. I still really like the visual in which the image of a mammoth is turned into a series…
……虚构的叙事对于好奇的心灵极具吸引力，而且对小孩子捉摸不定的注意力也十分包容。快二十年前别人送我的那本，现在就放在我伸手够得着的地方。http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473
…fictional narrative is deeply engaging to curious minds but also very forgiving of a child's fickle attention. I'm within arm's reach of the copy I was given almost twenty years ago. http://www.amazon.com/New-Way-Things-Work/dp/0395938473
《The New Way Things Work》，严格来说不算教科书。它是一套百科全书。但它教会了我太多东西。
The New Way Things Work, not a textbook per se. It's an encyclopaedia. But it taught so many things.
我记不太清了，但我记得《The New Way Things Work》里好像带有一点轻度故事元素。编辑：刚看到你说要不依赖图片的，那这本就不符合了。不过无论如何我都强烈推荐，只是可能不太适合你说的这个具体场景
I can't remember exactly, but I think there was some kind of light story element to "The New Way Things Work" Edit: just noticed the bit about not reliant on pictures, that rules that one out. I recommend it regardless, but maybe not for the exact use-case you're describing