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32 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| May, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-234470-0$16.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-06-234469-4$4.99
(3)
K-3
I Can Read Book series.
Illustrated by
Troy Cummings.
Clarence, the superheroic picture-book truck, returns in these charming early readers. Clarence makes short work of his farm chores by secretly transforming himself into a super vehicle (Farm); he teaches news chopper Stella when to use her outdoor and indoor voices (Traffic); and he babysits for energetic truck-tots (Zip). Cummings's signature chunk-tastic art is, yes, super. Review covers these I Can Read Book titles: Mighty Truck: On the Farm, Mighty Truck: The Traffic Tie-Up, and Mighty Truck: Zip and Beep.
18 pp.
| Candlewick/Templar
| September, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-5362-0281-6$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stephen Biesty.
From pioneering aircraft to the modern-day space shuttle, this in-depth volume uses labeled diagrams and lift-the-flaps to introduce flight history and explain how eight vehicles work. The British collaborators (Trains) demonstrate the variety and international breadth of manmade flying machines. The wide-trim board-book format provides a sturdy foundation for repeat readings of Graham’s dense text and Biesty's trademark ink and colored-pencil cross-sections.
(4)
4-6
Edge Books: Military Technology Timelines series.
Various military vehicles and equipment are profiled in two-page sections presented in chronological order. An additional timeline along the lower margin shows where each vehicle fits in historically. The limited texts suffer from some inconsistent descriptions; photos and real-life anecdotes in sidebars add helpful context. Though the information here is very basic, it's appropriate for third- and fourth-grade military enthusiasts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Edge Books: Military Technology Timelines titles: A Timeline of Fighter Jets and Bomber Planes, A Timeline of Helicopters, and A Timeline of Military Robots and Drones.
(4)
K-3
Military Aircraft & Vehicles series.
Six categories of military vehicles are described in this series. Each volume provides three or four brief examples of each type of vehicle, with an "Up Close" look at one example. The very basic texts are easy to read but lack depth. Highlighted words are defined to help explain military terms. Large color photographs provide a good look at each vehicle. Glos., ind. Review covers these Military Aircraft & Vehicles titles: Military Amphibious Vehicles, Military Attack Aircraft, Military Bomber Aircraft, Military Fighter Aircraft, Military Tracked Vehicles, and Military Wheeled Vehicles.
32 pp.
| Random
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-0-399-55448-3$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-399-55449-0$19.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-399-55450-6
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Christian Slade.
A series of rhyming questions ponder how different air transportation (from helicopters to hot-air balloons) prepare for bed, seemingly just like humans. "Where do jet planes sleep at night after a day of engines roaring? / Do dads share bedtime tales of their transatlantic soaring?" Soft pastel-like illustrations with (occasionally creepy-looking) anthropomorphized vehicles should set the sleepy mood for transportation fans.
32 pp.
| Black Rabbit
| August, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-68072-178-2$31.35
|
PaperISBN 978-1-68072-475-2$9.95
|
EbookISBN 978-1-68072-242-0
(4)
K-3
Bolt: Rank It! series.
Each book briefly examines ten or eleven top-performing vehicles in a selected category (aircraft, seafaring vessels, and sports cars) and then compares them for merit. Comparisons are based on factors such as maximum crew (Ships), weight (Planes), and cost (Performance). The texts, though limited, contain interesting trivia about the featured vehicles. Charts and captioned photographs are included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Bolt: Rank It! titles: Planes and Choppers, Ships and Subs, and Performance Cars.
(4)
K-3
Now That's Big! series.
This series introduces young vehicle buffs to huge, record-breaking machinery, including aircraft, mining equipment, and ships. Accessible texts describe the uses and history of each machine, and final spreads provide useful pictorial size comparisons. The large glossy photographs are impressive, but the brief captions are sometimes unclear; dull cover art dryly advertises the series, not the individual machines. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Now That's Big! titles: Antonov An-225 Mriya, Krupp Digging Machines, Mil Mi-26, Nimitz Aircraft Carrier, Oasis of the Seas, and Overburden Conveyor Bridge F60.
40 pp.
| Random
| September, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-101-93662-7$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-101-93663-4$19.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-101-93664-1
(1)
PS
As in Fire Engine No. 9, Austin live-streams an intense rescue mission: Rescue Squad No. 9's helicopter and boat crews race into a storm to find a stranded kid sailor and a Dalmatian. Dynamic illustrations and forceful text ("S O S / MAYDAY! / MAYDAY! / MAYDAY!"), skillfully incorporated in a propulsive, left-to-right design, telegraph the situation's urgency. Practical, helpful "Water Smart" tips are appended.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2016
32 pp.
| HarperCollins/Harper
| October, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-236627-6$17.99
(4)
K-3
Upon discovering a peculiar trail of confetti on the police station runway, Officer Panda embarks on a new case. Nearby, he finds mysterious packages and a drifting balloon, which he pursues via helicopter. Young readers and listeners should easily solve the slight mystery before Officer Panda does. Diagrams of the "AirPanda 79" helicopter on the endpapers are a highlight of the cheerful mixed-media illustrations.
32 pp.
| Lerner/Hungry Tomato
| April, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4677-9359-9$26.65
|
PaperISBN 978-1-4677-9591-3$7.99
|
EbookISBN 978-1-4677-9592-0
(4)
4-6
Stickmen's Guides to How Everything Works series.
Illustrated by
John Paul de Quay.
With appeal for future engineers, this series looks at the history of selected machines and how they work, from basic design and function to inner workings. Technical drawings, including cross-sections and diagrams, and simple explanatory texts (in tiny font) illustrate, for example, how pistons are used to power engines. Stick figures throughout the books add unneeded but benign-enough novelty. Timeline. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Stickmen's Guide to How Everything Works titles: Stickmen's Guide to Aircraft, Stickmen's Guide to Gigantic Machines, Stickmen's Guide to Trains and Automobiles, and Stickmen's Guide to Watercraft.
(4)
K-3
Penguin Core Concepts series.
In a series designed to teach "core concepts" to younger children, this title addresses "problem solving" and "transportation." Accompanied by color photos, a scattershot narrative illustrates helicopters in action, solving problems such as forest fires, and also briefly discusses how helicopters developed, why they are useful as transportation, and their mechanical parts. An introduction that focuses on purpose rather than detail.
24 pp.
| Viking
| May, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-451-46991-5$16.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Valeria Petrone.
Children watch as their teacher is stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel at the fair. When cranes can't reach and planes fly right by, it's shiny new Yellow Copter to the rescue. Retro digital illustrations, with bold colors set against pale blue-gray skies, and minimal rhyming text peppered with helicopter sounds ("WHUP WHUP WHUP") will engage preschool audiences.
32 pp.
| Arcturus
| March, 2015
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-78404-077-2$31.35
(4)
K-3
Mean Machines series.
Each volume consists of double-page spreads showcasing vehicles within the book's category; each profile includes a simple paragraph introducing the vehicle, facts boxes describing individual features, and "Super Stats." There's not much organization or substantive information about how each vehicle works mechanically, but dramatic color photos of the exotic vehicles in action have a lot of appeal. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Mean Machines titles: Extreme Supercars, Racing Supercars, Superboats, and Supercopters.
(3)
K-3
Seedlings series.
With glossy photos and very simple sentences in large type, these well-designed introductions to rescue vehicles are suited to emerging readers new to nonfiction. The texts cover the essentials, including each vehicle's purpose and notable features as well as details of the rescue work being done. A labeled diagram of the vehicle concludes each book. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Seedlings titles: Ambulances, Fire Trucks, Helicopters, and Rescue Boats.
32 pp.
| Lerner
| February, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7613-8966-8$25.26
(4)
K-3
Lightning Bolt Books: How Flight Works series.
Each of these books takes a cursory look at a particular mode of transportation/flight. The choppy but easy-to-read texts are supported by engaging full- and half-page photographs in an accessible design. Briefly discussing the science and function of each highlighted aircraft, these books do an adequate job of introducing complex subjects to young readers. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books titles: How Do Hang Gliders Work?, How Do Helicopters Work?, How Do Parachutes Work?, How Do Jets Work?, How Do Hot Air Balloons Work?, and How Do Space Vehicles Work?.
32 pp.
| Bearport
| August, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-889-1$26.60
(4)
4-6
Special Ops II series.
This series centers on special units of the American armed forces. Each book recounts deeds of selected heroes, emphasizes unit members' intense and demanding training, briefly describes major historical successes, and concludes by covering necessary gear. Though they vary in quality and effective layout, military fans will appreciate the many photographs and maps accompanying the readable texts. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Special Ops II titles: Army Night Stalkers in Action, Navy SEAL Team Six in Action, CIA Paramilitary Operatives in Action, and Marine Scout Snipers in Action.
(4)
K-3
Diary of A... series.
Clear and well organized, with highlighted vocabulary words and enticing photographs, this book recounts a week in the life of a helicopter pilot who flies to oil rigs. It's not clear who's "writing" the diary, which readers may find confusing. Overall, this is a useful technical introduction for kids. Tips on diary writing are included. Reading list. Glos., ind.
32 pp.
| Holt
| September, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8050-9304-9$15.99
(4)
PS
When a blue elephant with helicopter rotors and landing gear spies smoke, she flies in to rescue stranded animals, then slurps up water and douses the blaze with her "fire-hose nose." Told in rollicking rhymes that don't always scan or work precisely, the heroic Elecopter's rescue-mission adventures are better served by the candy-colored, action-packed digital illustrations.
32 pp.
| Smart Apple
| August, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59920-821-3$28.50
(4)
4-6
Ultimate Military Machines series.
This series presents a cursory overview of six types of weaponry used by the armed forces. Each book gives a brief introduction, followed by history, descriptive information, and military usage of the machines. The inserts and photographs provide additional facts but contribute to a cluttered, distracting format. Reluctant readers interested in war and weaponry will be drawn to the series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Ultimate Military Machines titles: Tanks, Submarines, Helicopters, Fighter Planes, Bombers, and Warships.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2012
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61783-266-6$18.95
(4)
4-6
Military Aircraft series.
Hamilton briefly profiles military aircraft built and used during the last quarter of the twentieth century. The simple, straightforward (if limited) texts describe how the latest construction materials and advanced technology of these aircraft have made them suited for military use. The many double-page photos and "Xtreme Fact" boxes will draw in reluctant readers. Glos., ind. Review covers these Military Aircraft titles: AH-64D Apache Longbow, B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lighting II.