Tugboats

An introduction for emergent readers to the work performed by machines and vehicles while identifying several noteworthy parts of each. Each simple sentence consists of two to six words on average and is declarative in nature, conveying information concisely yet engagingly; stylistically, the books are written in a very basic form of narrative nonfiction, which enables the audience to connect with the work. Supporting the text are large, vivid images with clear captions encircled in bright colors, giving readers a lot to look at without overwhelming them with too much information. The inclusion of a picture glossary as well as before-and-after reading prompts are additional resources for students that facilitate a better understanding of the material. VERDICT Fun, informative, and digestible, this series will surely be a hit with early readers, especially those interested in heavy machinery.

These new books in the Machines at Work series are perfect for young children interested in trucks, construction equipment, and slightly more exotic vehicles. They feature bright, colorful photos and child-friendly text. Even the books themselves are a perfect size for young children’s hands. Some of the books engagingly tell the stories of particular workers using the featured piece of machinery. Bo picks up concrete at a plant and transports it to a job site to make a floor in Concrete Mixers. In Diggers, Ed makes a giant hole for a tall building with his digger, and Amy digs a big hole for a swimming pool with her backhoe. Some of the other books read as purely informational texts. Icebreakers describes how the icebreaker breaks through the ice to reach a stranded ship and oil tanker. Tugboats details situations in which tugboats push or pull other ships: through a narrow canal, to a dock, back to sea. A feature at the end labels the main parts of the machine. A picture glossary includes photos that are sufficient to illustrate very simple concepts (“earmuffs,” for example) but not more complex ones (such as “engine”). Still, children will be charmed by the books’ main text and photos.