Flight

Children's Literature

From Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine to extreme aircraft, this book traces the great strides made in flight and the personalities behind the innovations. Readers get vivid accounts of why it took strong nerves and an even stronger stomach on some of the early commercial flights. Sections on Charles Lindbergh, Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron), and other aviation pioneers present short tidbits on individual contributions. But the design of the book often competes with the text for attention. In some spreads, background images obscure the text, making reading quite difficult. Boxed call-outs with the heading "Weird World" seem like a failed gimmick, since the facts included are hardly weird (although sometimes interesting). Luckily, the majority of the spreads are clean, with powerful images to support the text. An informal writing style, an appealing digest-size and sound information make this a good introduction to flight history. It is just unfortunate that the book's design distracts from the reading. 2003, Dorling Kindersley, Ages 8 to 12.
— Linda Johns

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

The Visual Dictionary of Ships and Sailing contains ancient- to modern-marine craft close-ups and cutaways that will intrigue readers young and old. The clearly identified and defined photographs detail specifics of pertinent parts and accessories, and include navigation, piloting, signaling and safety tools and equipment.1991, DK Publishing, Ages 9 up, $18.95 and $15.99. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin

School Library Journal

Gr 4 Up-- In spite of their series' name, these are not dictionaries. Words are used simply for identification or labeling, and are not defined or explained. Each subject is covered in a double-page spread. The brief but large text provides a cursory overview of the particular topic or era while the majority of space is devoted to the myriad identifications of the whole and its parts from sideviews to cross sections. Both books follow chronological sequences of developments. The full-color illustrations are remarkable for their clarity of detail, perspective, and semblance to natural hues. The indexes are extensive. However, because of their limitations, these visually appealing books will likely attract more attention from browsers and subject aficianados than from researchers.-- Ellen J. Dibner, East School, Long Beach, NY