(3) 4-6 Wonders of the World series. Illustrated by Alan Witschonke. Shah Jahan, fifth emperor of India's Mughal dynasty, built the Taj Mahal as a setting for his wife's tomb. An extraordinary architectural phantasmagoria of bejeweled ornament and symmetrical gardens, it expressed the emperor's idea of an earthly paradise. In this book, vibrant illustrations and art reproductions illustrate the Taj's magnificence while clear text tells its story. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. The importance of the Suez Canal, both as engineering feat and invaluable aid to trade routes, is explained. Drawings and photos demonstrate how the canal transformed a desert landscape and depict the area's ensuing revitalization. The clean design, approachable text, and multitude of photos (although a few are blurry) effectively introduce the canal. Maps, "Quick Facts." Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. These informative introductions to manmade American landmarks address the historical background, building/sculpting process, and significance of each project. Challenges such as finding the right mountain to carve, adapting a bridge in an earthquake zone, and building an early skyscraper are highlighted. The accessible text is accented by strong photographs and appealing layouts. Maps, "Quick Facts." Glos., ind. Review covers these Modern Wonders of the World titles: Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, and Empire State Building.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. These informative introductions to manmade American landmarks address the historical background, building/sculpting process, and significance of each project. Challenges such as finding the right mountain to carve, adapting a bridge in an earthquake zone, and building an early skyscraper are highlighted. The accessible text is accented by strong photographs and appealing layouts. Maps, "Quick Facts." Glos., ind. Review covers these Modern Wonders of the World titles: Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, and Empire State Building.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. This book introduces Gustave Eiffel and explores how the Eiffel Tower came to be (having overcome some resistance from Parisians). Striking photographs and paintings capture Paris's most famous attraction from many vantage points and times of day. The clean design, approachable text, and multitude of visual aids effectively introduce the easily recognizable structure. Maps, "Quick Facts." Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. These informative introductions to manmade American landmarks address the historical background, building/sculpting process, and significance of each project. Challenges such as finding the right mountain to carve, adapting a bridge in an earthquake zone, and building an early skyscraper are highlighted. The accessible text is accented by strong photographs and appealing layouts. Maps, "Quick Facts." Glos., ind. Review covers these Modern Wonders of the World titles: Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, and Empire State Building.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Modern Wonders of the World series. The Sydney Opera House is world-renowned for its unusual and striking architecture, and this book details how and why it was built. The Opera House's history is explained and accentuated by strong photographs, capturing the landmark and its inspirations. The clean design, approachable text, and multitude of photos effectively introduce the building. Maps, quick facts. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) 4-6 Natural Wonders of the World series. A cursory text presents the region, plant and animal life, climate, ecology, and history of the river that carries the world's largest amount of water and runs through three countries. Particular attention is paid to the need for conservation efforts. Sidebars, captivating color photographs, captions, and sufficient white space work well to enhance the overall presentation. Facts about the river are appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) 4-6 Natural Wonders of the World series. A cursory text presents the geography, plant and animal life, climate, and history of the world's highest mountain. Much of the text focuses on the mountain's climbers. Sidebars, captivating color photographs, captions (some unclear), and sufficient white space work well to enhance the overall presentation. Additional facts about the mountain and its climbers are appended. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(3) 4-6 Wonders of the World series. Illustrated by Alan Witschonke. The Empire State Building, which opened in 1931, was the culmination of New York's great skyscraper boom and remained the world's tallest building until 1972. The concisely written text follows the design and construction of the building and explores its early social significance. The book is illustrated with archival photos, color art, and a handsome three-page foldout of the completed structure. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Wonders of the World series. Illustrated by Tom McNeely. Tracking several hundred years of history, Mann keenly explores the Mayan city of Tikal, which flourished in the Yucatan Peninsula during the first millennium C.E. Profusely illustrated with boldly colored paintings, the text discusses Mayan advances in math and language, the Mayan penchant for war and sacrificial bloodletting, and the mysterious disappearance of this once thriving civilization. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(2) 4-6 Wonders of the World series. Illustrated by Alan Witschonke. Strong on the symbolism of the Hoover Dam ("its dedication meant that the hard times were really over") but weaker on human contributions, the text nonetheless offers a clear explanation of the planning, purpose, construction, and social conditions that influenced the building of the dam. Archival photos complement sidebar oral histories. Diagrams clearly show the inside workings of the dam, allowing readers a virtual tour of the site. Ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2002

(3) 4-6 Wonders of the World series. Illustrated by Amy Crehore. In this look at Machu Picchu, the Incan city built in the 1400s between two Andes mountain peaks, Mann speckles a straightforward account of the rise and fall of the Incan people with appreciation for the city's architecture. The book is illustrated with luminous full-page (including one gatefold) paintings showing the polygonal stones painstakingly handcrafted by stonemasons, two color photographs, and a map. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram