Cranes
(Book)

These construction site-based new volumes in the Seedlings series introduce heavy equipment using big, bold photos. The text (up to three sentences per two-page spread) is similarly basic and bold, with vocabulary words appearing in bright colors. These books are ideal for preschoolers, who will be drawn in by the engaging photos and likely have the text memorized after just a few readings. The form and function of each piece of equipment is simply explained. Cranes depicts the machinery using its arm, cables, and hook or bucket to lift big boxes. The clearly labeled diagram of each machine's key parts at the back of each book will help young readers feel well informed. The only odd note is that each book has a table of contents and yet no page headings. Young readers, though, will be too busy learning and reviewing information about the construction equipment to notice the discrepancy.--Aronin, Miriam Copyright 2010 Booklist

PreS-Gr 1-Children will be eager to dump, dig, lift, and push with these volumes that showcase construction vehicles. Large bold font on white space helps the simple sentences jump off the page for beginner readers as they are introduced to the vehicles' functions and parts. Clear, color photographs fill the majority of the spreads and showcase the equipment at work. Words defined in the glossary appear in different colors. The texts are simple and general, providing minimal information. The subject matter and photos provide the draw. -Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

These construction site–based new volumes in the Seedlings series introduce heavy equipment using big, bold photos. The text (up to three sentences per two-page spread) is similarly basic and bold, with vocabulary words appearing in bright colors. These books are ideal for preschoolers, who will be drawn in by the engaging photos—and likely have the text memorized after just a few readings. The form and function of each piece of equipment is simply explained. Cranes depicts the machinery using its arm, cables, and hook or bucket to lift big boxes. The clearly labeled diagram of each machine's key parts at the back of each book will help young readers feel well informed. The only odd note is that each book has a table of contents and yet no page headings. Young readers, though, will be too busy learning and reviewing information about the construction equipment to notice the discrepancy. Copyright 2013 Booklist Reviews.

PreS-Gr 1—Children will be eager to dump, dig, lift, and push with these volumes that showcase construction vehicles. Large bold font on white space helps the simple sentences jump off the page for beginner readers as they are introduced to the vehicles' functions and parts. Clear, color photographs fill the majority of the spreads and showcase the equipment at work. Words defined in the glossary appear in different colors. The texts are simple and general, providing minimal information. The subject matter and photos provide the draw. —Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX