This large-format book from the How to Draw series spotlights robots, from a security droid and a land walker to flying, combat, human, and mutant mecha. Though the subject will certainly catch the interest of younger children, the treatment is better suited to those with a bit of experience. Early double-page spreads offer instruction in creating perspective from different viewpoints as well as information about drawing tools and materials. Later spreads focus on rendering specific robots, with drawings typically shown in four stages, progressing from basic forms to details and shading. Arrows connect instructions to the specific areas under discussion. A glossary defines art-related terms such as chiaroscuro, proportion, and fixative as well as the subject term mecha ("walking robots controlled by a pilot, often appearing in science fiction"). Using only shades of brown and black, Bergin creates robots that many readers will want to imitate and then shows them how to do so.

BERGIN, Mark . Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures ISBN 978-1-4358-2517-8 ; ISBN 978-1-4358-2646-5 . LC 2008009230. BERGIN, Mark . Magical Creatures and Mythical Beasts ISBN 978-1-4358-2518-5 ; ISBN 978-1-4358-2647-2 . LC 2008002332. BERGIN, Mark . Planes ISBN 978-1-4358-2519-2 ; ISBN 978-1-4358-2648-9 . LC 2007047936. BERGIN, Mark . Robots ISBN 978-1-4358-2521-5 ; ISBN 978-1-4358-2650-2 . LC 2008010579. FRANKLIN, Carolyn . Big Cats ISBN 978-1-4358-2516-1 ; ISBN 978-1-9046-4268-8 . LC 2008001134. ea vol: 32p. (How to Draw Series). illus. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. Nov. 2008. PLB $25.25; pap. $8.81. Gr 3-5 Any illustration series, particularly one including the various subjects above, must inevitably be compared to the standard in the field since 1974: Lee J. Amess Draw 50 titles (Broadway). Those books are almost completely wordless, with some general advice at the beginning, followed by step-by-step sketches that lead to a completed drawing. In contrast, these new titles are extremely wordy. Also, the font is fuzzy and thin, the color at times verges on a light gray, and the size ranges from standard to downright tiny. The end result is that the text is barely readable in many places, particularly when it merges with part of a picture. Another problem is the vocabulary. Words such as ellipse and axle are frequently used but arent defined in the glossary whereas chiaroscuro is explained both within the text and in the glossary. The steps often move from what is still a rough sketch to a suddenly complete, detailed drawing, while at other times the finished drawing does not appear. Libraries can pass on this series.