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PS
This lively picture book in rhyming verse follows paramedic Sally (a pale human) and EMT Gus (a blue three-eyed monster) as they answer calls in their "amboolance." They pick up a sick zombie, an injured skeleton, and a kraken whose eggs are hatching prematurely, and transport them to the hospital. Mixed-media illustrations in bold colors combine humor and information to excellent effect; there are labels for technical things like medical equipment as well as ordinary things like hats. Despite the book's population of monsters (vampires and a mummy appear as well), the text provides solid information about the work of EMTs (including an appended glossary), making this a good choice for reading all year round.
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K-3
Bumba Books: Machines That Go series.
This series employs the high-interest subject of vehicles to encourage beginning readers and introduce nonfiction conventions. A brightly colored design and varied photographs, with some diversity in the human drivers pictured, complement the accessible texts. The information is slight, but sidebars with relevant, appropriately challenging critical thinking questions encourage young readers' engagement. A labeled vehicle diagram is included at the end. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Bumba Books: Machines That Go titles: Ambulances on the Go, Monster Trucks on the Go, Motorcycles on the Go, Big Rigs on the Go, Police Cars on the Go, and Trains on the Go.
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K-3
My Community: Vehicles series.
With simple, declarative sentences, these books introduce community vehicles. The stock photos can create confusing narratives--e.g., firefighters rush to a blazing lumberyard then battle flames at a multistory building; Maya waits for mail that arrives elsewhere. The sturdy, high-interest books hit the important notes for library nonfiction collections. Codes provide access to online resources, including activity sheets and videos. Glos., ind. Review covers the following My Community: Vehicles titles: Ambulances, Fire Trucks, Garbage Trucks, and Mail Trucks.
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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.
| Candlewick
| May, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-7402-1$15.99
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Illustrated by
Joel Stewart.
For this clever story, Willis invents a genial ambulance crew who takes care of nursery rhyme accidents. "Has Jack Be Nimble burned his bum? / Has Little Jack Horner choked on a plum?" The illustrations are as sprightly as the rhyme; the ambulance bounces down the road, while ambulance-chasing characters from "Hey Diddle Diddle," such as the dish and the spoon, show up at each emergency.
24 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-62403-072-7$17.95
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K-3
More Professional Tools series.
Each title directly explains the profession and focuses on four tools of the trade. Many of the color photographs featuring multicultural groups of male and female workers look overly posed, though the photos of actual tools are clear and well labeled. The approachable text and subject matter will be useful for school reports. Matching games and quizzes are appended. Glos. Review covers these More Professional Tools titles: Detective's Tools, EMT's Tools, Firefighter's Tools, and Police Officer's Tools.
24 pp.
| Smart Apple
| August, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59920-888-6$25.65
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K-3
Emergency Vehicles series.
Large color photos with instructive labels are complemented by short, clear texts introducing the important features and purposes of four kinds of rescue vehicles. Curious machine-lovers will be fascinated by the information and amped up by the frenetic graphics and sound effects (BRRRMM!, CRAASSH!). Helpful appendices include a six-question quiz. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Emergency Vehicle titles: Ambulance Rescue, Police Rescue, Fire Rescue, and Sea Rescue.
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K-3
Rescue Vehicles series.
This series briefly explores the history and function of rescue vehicles. The texts describe the vehicles' most basic features and what it takes to operate them. Eye-catching photos (some mismatched, like an unexplained helicopter in Rescue Boats) could use more detailed captions; basic diagrams with parts labeled would also have been helpful. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Rescue Vehicles titles: Ambulances, Fire Trucks, Helicopters, and Rescue Boats.
24 pp.
| Capstone
| August, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4296-6827-9$23.99
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K-3
First Facts: Transportation Zone series.
These slim volumes pack in a good amount of information on their title topics. Car and truck fans may be drawn to the brief texts, including historical background and contemporary examples; they may also find some challenging vocabulary. The many photographs are well labeled. Each volume includes an activity (e.g., "Make a Siren"). Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these First Facts: Transportation Zone titles: Ambulances in Action, Police Cars in Action, and Semitrucks in Action.
24 pp.
| QEB
| January, 2010
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-59566-975-9$25.65
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K-3
Emergency Vehicles series.
This series presents very broad information about vehicles commonly used in community-rescue operations. Each volume describes the roles of various types of vehicles within the category and extends knowledge of their importance. Readers will be drawn to the large, colorful photographs and accessible texts (though the off-kilter font is distracting). Hands-on activities are included. Glos., ind. Review covers these Emergency Vehicles titles: Ambulance, Fire Truck, Police Car, and Rescue Boat.
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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.
32 pp.
| Benchmark
| October, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7614-1561-0$$21.36
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K-3
Bookworms: What's Inside? series.
Large, easy-to-read print and clear photographs on every page provide introductory material for units on community services. These small books include some "challenge words" printed in italics and defined at the end. Pronunciation guides are given for only some of these difficult terms. Though dull, these books might be useful in some elementary curricula. Ind. [Review covers these Bookworms: What's Inside? titles: What's Inside a Fire Truck?, What's Inside a Firehouse?, What's Inside a Hospital?, What's Inside a Police Car?, What's Inside a Police Station?, and What's Inside an Ambulance?.]