(3) 4-6 Inside series. Illustrated by Mordecai-Mark Mac Low. Clear prose and striking visuals combine to explain stellar matters such as classification and formation of stars and how astronomers work. The book conveys accessibility and immediacy through a conversational style. Foldout pages (some horizontal, some vertical) are generally used to excellent effect. Photos, drawings, charts, and other visuals are well chosen and well documented. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) 4-6 Inside series. Illustrated by Jason Brougham. This comprehensive look at dinosaurs includes profiles of paleontologists and how they work, fossil locations around the world, detailed discussion of cladistics and extinction, dinosaur behavior and reproduction, and profiles of plant-eating, meat-eating, and feathered dinosaurs. Numerous color photographs and diagrams help illustrate the concepts. Many of the pages fold out or up. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford

(4) 4-6 These oversize books feature large captioned photos (many close up and actual size), multiple foldout pages, and accessible texts. The machines' structures, functions, and terminologies are adequately explained, though a glossary would have been helpful. The appeal of these volumes is their gimmicky design; transportation/machine fans will excitedly pore over the posterlike pictures. Ind. Review covers these titles:Fighter Planes Up Close, Fire Engines Up Close, Heavy Equipment Up Close, and Submarines Up Close.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 These oversize books feature large captioned photos (many close up and actual size), multiple foldout pages, and accessible texts. The machines' structures, functions, and terminologies are adequately explained, though a glossary would have been helpful. The appeal of these volumes is their gimmicky design; transportation/machine fans will excitedly pore over the posterlike pictures. Ind. Review covers these titles:Fighter Planes Up Close, Fire Engines Up Close, Heavy Equipment Up Close, and Submarines Up Close.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 These oversize books feature large captioned photos (many close up and actual size), multiple foldout pages, and accessible texts. The machines' structures, functions, and terminologies are adequately explained, though a glossary would have been helpful. The appeal of these volumes is their gimmicky design; transportation/machine fans will excitedly pore over the posterlike pictures. Ind. Review covers these titles:Fighter Planes Up Close, Fire Engines Up Close, Heavy Equipment Up Close, and Submarines Up Close.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 These oversize books feature large captioned photos (many close up and actual size), multiple foldout pages, and accessible texts. The machines' structures, functions, and terminologies are adequately explained, though a glossary would have been helpful. The appeal of these volumes is their gimmicky design; transportation/machine fans will excitedly pore over the posterlike pictures. Ind. Review covers these titles:Fighter Planes Up Close, Fire Engines Up Close, Heavy Equipment Up Close, and Submarines Up Close.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 This oversize book features large posterlike photos (many close-up and actual size), multiple foldout pages, and accessible text, all of which will leave NASCAR fans breathless. The race car's structure and functions as well as the sport of racing, including drivers and terminology, are adequately explained (though the lack of a glossary and resources limits the book's usefulness). Ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 This oversize book features large captioned photos (many close-up and actual size), multiple foldout pages, and accessible text. Several types of ships are described, including their structures and functions. The texts are adequate, and ship fans will pore over the images, but the lack of a glossary and resources limits the book's usefulness. Ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale