Cool Cars

January 1, 2012

PreS-K-There is less content in these "pre-readers" than in 1950s' primers. Full-page and double-page photos lifted from the Internet do nothing to salvage the one- to two-sentence texts on each spread. Statements such as "Big military machines do big jobs" and "Some cool cars are yellow" add nothing to readers' knowledge. Text and illustrations do not always coincide. Earthmovers passes off a front-end loader as a bulldozer and an excavator as a backhoe. Rescue says that lifeboats rescue people lost at sea, but the photo shows a lifeboat with a retaining wall in the background. The table of contents in each volume has no substance. Several books cited in the further reading lists are better than these titles.-Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
Each book gives some very basic information about the title subjects, sometimes naming the different types of vehicles in that category or briefly describing what each one does. Young children interested in vehicles will enjoy this series primarily for its clear and engaging photographs; they aren't likely to be deterred by the bland, repetitive texts. Reading list, websites. Ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)