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How It Works: Big Rigs

Name: How It Works: Big Rigs
Author: John Malam, Mike S. Foster
ISBN: 9780689811883

by John Malam, Mike S. Foster

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Overview

Using analogies to explain intricate procedures to young engineers-in-training, this book is a great way to introduce kids to such massive machines as fire trucks, submarines, tunnel-boring machines, and helicopters. Full color.

Describes various atmospheric conditions and explains how they are created and how they bring about particular weather.

Synopsis

What child hasn't seen heavy machines in action and been enthralled by their operations? Well, now they can bring that excitement into their homes without even tracking dirt across the carpet. Big Rigs explains the inner workings of attention-getting movers, diggers, and flyers such as fire trucks, submarines, tunnel-boring machines, and helicopters. Using analogies to explain intricate procedures to young engineers-in-training -- the large arm of a crane is a fishing rod, and a potato-masher packs trash into the back of a garbage truck -- this book is a great way to introduce kids to these massive machines. Full-color illustrations, including a tear-out wall poster, complement fun, accessible text, and show readers how their favorite big rigs work.

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Editorials

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

This large format book initially has the feel of a Richard Scarry book, with different creatures taking the role of machine operators in the main illustrations. The illustrator also gives the machines themselves human or animal parts. A submarine is given a fin, teeth and eyes to make it into a shark. A helicopter is turned into a dragonfly with four human feet wearing skis. On each double page, an inset diagram shows how the "real" machine works. The page on cranes talks about the pulley system. Readers may either find this mix of fantasy and reality fun or a little disconcerting. It seems to lack the overall joy, concept and unity of the Richard Scarry books. This is part of the "How It Works" series.

Children's Literature - Wendy Pollock-Gilson

Different atmospheric conditions are explained with cartoon style graphics and brief informational paragraphs. Among the topics are "All About Rainbows," "All About Hurricanes" and "All About Thunder and Lightning." The final world weather map of "Weird and Wonderful Weather" is the best part of the book. It is full of interesting miscellaneous facts such as the temperatures in Death Valley, California (over 125 degrees Fahrenheit). Wacky Weather is part of the "How It Works" series, and this volume includes a lot of weather and meteorology information. Also included are an index and a removable poster.