An Auto Mechanic

School Library Journal

PreS-- A mechanic at the ``Haim Shlomo Auto Repair Center'' checks a car's engine and brakes, changes oil and filters, adds antifreeze to the radiator and air to the tires. These and other routine garage activities are depicted in large watercolors. The wash effect does not always provide a clear look at the tools and parts being used; instead, it offers a general impression of the variety of tasks a mechanic performs. The very simple declarative sentences that describe the activities are in large, clear print. Proper terms, such as ``ratchets'' and ``gauges'' are used. Betsy Imershein's Auto Mechanic (Messner, 1989) utilizes black-and-white photographs of male and female mechanics of several races to provide a realistic look at the tasks, working conditions, and skills required on the job. In Fill It Up! (Crowell, 1985), Gail Gibbons pictures male and female owners, attendants, and mechanics who work at a full-service facility. --Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY