GRAHAM, Ian . Emergency Vehicles ISBN 978-1-59920-294-5 . LC 2008002401. GRAHAM, Ian . Fast Cars ISBN 978-1-59920-289-1 . LC 2008002402. JENNINGS, Terry . Construction Vehicles ISBN 978-1-59920-293-8 . LC 2008002400. JENNINGS, Terry . Trucks ISBN 978-1-59920-291-4 . LC 2008002404. OXLADE, Chris . Motorcycles ISBN 978-1-59920-290-7 . LC 2008002403. ea vol: 32p. (How Machines Work Series). diags. illus. photos. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Smart Apple Media 2008. PLB $27.10. Gr 3-6 This attractive series delivers a significant amount of material through its writing and graphics. The focus is on how these machines work and what they do, using the features of specific models as examples of the topics discussed. The authors present just enough detail to explain the basic principles of the functioning of these vehicles. Emergency Vehicles and Construction Vehicles present the most unusual topics, such as deep-sea rescue and tunnel-boring machines, while the other four feature more common types. Specifications, odd facts, and trivia are set aside in boxes, while the excellent color photos and outstanding diagrams feature clear, informative captions. An occasional tendency to use cute, slangy terminology, as in the description of an engines four strokes as suck, squeeze, bang, and blow, while colorful, is irritating. Overall, though, the topics are sure to be popular, the information is accurate, and it strikes a good balance between entertainment and education.

A solid entry in the How Machines Work series, this general wrap-up of all things airplane uses informational drawings, cutaway diagrams, and photos cluding some dazzling shots of cockpit control panels, complete with labeled instruments. The layout is sufficiently busy to capture interest, and boxes isolate "Did You Know?" factoids as well as detailed specifications for each aircraft. Occasionally a head-scratcher goes unexplained, but overall this is good stuff for budding pilots obsessed with pitch, roll, and yaw, or a nervous passenger awaiting his or her first flight.

Each of these books examines vehicles in the context of their capacity to travel at high rates of speed, and each discusses matters related to design, basic science, testing, and competition. The text, little more than expanded captions, is too brief and sometimes unclear, and the accompanying graphics--drawings and photos--are colorful but busy. The information is slight but may have some appeal to browsers. Glos., ind.