Things on Wheels

Children's Literature

Here is a fine example of a book that seems to have been put together simply to have something, anything, to publish. The text is simple, somewhat vague and sometimes irrelevant. That is okay for a young reader's book because sometimes we simply want our readers to practice reading for the sake of reading, but only to a point. This book seems to be dumbed-down and slapped together. The sentences lack a pleasing flow and seem rather abrupt and disjointed. This is not a good example for young readers (or writers for whom the book claims to be modeling for). There is one grainy picture, in particular, of a train and text asking the reader to look at its special wheels. The picture is so fuzzy and shadowed that no wheels can be clearly seen even under careful scrutiny. Save your money. Part of the "My World" series. 2000, Aladdin, $17.90. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Trina Heidt