How Does It Work?

Many young kids are fascinated with “things that go”. This series on various types of vehicles will delight those readers with colorful photos and accessible explanations of the basic mechanics of each machine. Each book includes a diagram of how the parts work together to make the vehicle move. The images show a variety of power types, such as steam, diesel, electric, maglev, and hydrail trains. Segments like‚"Ideas for Parents and Teachers" offer a few generic suggestions for before, during, and after reading, but more specific tips for each title would have made this feature more helpful. Recommended extension activities in each book vary in quality, from experimenting with friction and toy cars to simply spinning in place to imitate a helicopter. VERDICT Robust collections where these topics are in high demand may want to consider these titles.

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.VERDICTFun, informative, and digestible, this series will surely be a hit with early readers, especially those interested in heavy machinery.

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.VERDICTFun, informative, and digestible, this series will surely be a hit with early readers, especially those interested in heavy machinery.