Synopsis
One man lifts a 50-pound girder. A forklift moves a 1-ton load. A wheelbarrow, a crane, a truck, a train all transport increasingly heavy objects as Taro Miura's deceptively simple book unfolds. Children will delight in the arresting images of workmen and their equipment. And as the weight increases so will their undertanding of how we measure it. A dramatic gatefold spread and a brief explanation of different systems of measurement complete the picture as this unique book makes learning about weight absolutely effortless.
Publishers Weekly
Through the use of few words and clean, crisp graphics, Miura introduces the topic of weight and measures for children. Each page features various transport devices that move massive objects, each weighing a set amount. As the story progresses, so does the heaviness of each object. Both the type size and corresponding images follow suit, equating large numbers with a commanding presence. While this correlation of text and illustrations works in tandem and delivers this message effectively, the book fails to engage readers and enliven their understanding of the subject matter. A detailed spread of the measuring system supplements the spreads; without this teaching guide, even astute readers may feel unequipped to answer youngsters' questions. Ages 2-up. (June) Fire! Fire! Said Mrs. McGuire Bill Martin Jr, illus. by Vladimir Radunsky. Harcourt, $16 (32p) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.