(4) K-3 Lightning Bolt Books: Vroom-Vroom series. Each book describes the features and functions of a specific vehicle. The accessible texts are simple but informative; each page features a few sentences, a photo, and often a caption or label. Use of different typefaces may be frustrating for new readers, but the engaging texts and back matter (e.g., "fun facts") should draw readers. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Lightning Bolt Books: Vroom-Vroom titles: Earthmovers on the Move, Fire Trucks on the Move, and Monster Trucks on the Move.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) K-3 Libros para avanzar series. Truck lovers will be drawn to these little books about monster trucks and earthmovers. However, they will most likely be more interested in the pictures than in the somewhat technical-sounding Spanish-language text, which provides basic information for the younger transportation enthusiast. A few facts about each featured vehicle and a labeled diagram are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers these Libros para avanzar titles: Palas Mecánicas and Camionetas Gigantes.

Reviewer: Tim Wadham

(3) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. These small, square books provide interesting and easy-to-read overviews about motorized vehicles. Basic facts are paired with photos that extend the simple text. Though the books are short, they answer questions frequently asked by young readers and are suitable for those just gaining confidence in reading. Glos., ind. Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Police Cars, Powerboats, Stock Cars, Motorcycles, Ambulances, and Formula One Race Cars.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. Photographs by Howard Ande. [illustrators=photographers]In these series books, the tone of the question-and-answer format attempts to engage the emergent reader while unremarkable color photographs merely reflect the simple text. These titles provide basic information for the younger transportation enthusiast. A few facts about each featured vehicle and a labeled diagram are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Earthmovers, Trains, Dump Trucks, Fire Trucks, Farm Trucks, and Monster Trucks.]

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Pull Ahead Books series. [illustrators=photographers]In these series books, the tone of the question-and-answer format attempts to engage the emergent reader while unremarkable color photographs merely reflect the simple text. These titles provide basic information for the younger transportation enthusiast. A few facts about each featured vehicle and a labeled diagram are appended. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Pull Ahead Books titles: Earthmovers, Trains, Dump Trucks, Fire Trucks, Farm Trucks, and Monster Trucks.]

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) K-3 Building Block series. Small in size, this explanatory book features stock photos on each page and an accessible, if pedestrian, text. After discussing different kinds of tunnels, Hill tries to connect the reader with the subject by suggesting that children can work with tunnels by becoming miners, engineers, or tunnel-boring machine operators. A photo index supplies additional information about the international locations of the tunnels featured in the book.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Building Block series. Small in size, this explanatory book features stock photos on each page and an accessible, if pedestrian, text. After musing on the meaning of "home," Hill tries to connect the reader to the subject by suggesting that children can create dwellings like those explored in the book by becoming architects, painters, or carpenters. A photo index supplies additional information about the international locations of the featured houses.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Building Block series. Small in size, this explanatory book features stock photos on each page and an accessible, if pedestrian, text. After discussing different types of monuments, Hill tries to connect the reader with the subject by suggesting that children can create their own monuments themselves by becoming sculptors. A photo index supplies additional information about the international monuments featured in the book.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) K-3 Building Block series. Hill briefly and superficially explains the history of libraries and lists some of the services available to the public. The text is illustrated with photographs of many different libraries including the Bodleian Library of Oxford, England, and a Minneapolis bookmobile. A chipper, joking text delivers random facts and observations about library use. A photo index provides more information about the included pictures.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) K-3 Building Block series. In this overly simplistic introduction to education, Hill uses short sentences and large full-color photos to highlight different kinds of schools--from one-room schools to universities--and their function in society (the photos show mainly U.S. schools). A photo index at the end provides additional information about the earlier pictures. The superficial text and generic photos make for a slight survey.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.