Ms. Murphy Fights Fires

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Three simple photo essays that follow professionals through a typical work day. The full-color photographs are well composed and clear and tell the featured person's story in a manner that's appropriate for the targeted audience. Explaining the work of a legal-aid attorney to a kindergarten audience is not an easy task. A Day in Court does a serviceable job; by necessity, the legal system is a bit oversimplified. Dr. Kanner is the strongest entry of the three. It features close-up photographs of instruments and shows the dentist treating his young patients. The text in Ms. Murphy sometimes strays from the point; e.g., "Some people thought it was a job only men could do. She proved that they were wrong." While that statement may be true, it does not add to readers' understanding of what fire fighters do. An interesting, but uneven series for larger collections needing additional material on community helpers.Jane Claes, T. J. Lee Elementary School, Irving, TX