Bulldozers

We LOVE the pictures in this book! Real shots of bulldozers working! However, the story leaves something to be desired. This book is intended for beginning readers and somehow I missed that in the description. Although, I bet my son will love it all over again when he can read it himself in a few years.

"Bulldozers" is unusual in that features some high-tech curriculum aids at the same time it offers some slightly staid and dated-looking photos. The design is excellent. On page 6, for example, there's a picture of big yellow bulldozer leveling some ground. The photo takes up a full page and a bit of the facing page as well, emphasizing the enormity of the machine. There's a blue-fonted chapter," Parts of Bulldozers," and the following easy-to-read text: Bulldozers have wide blades. Blades push dirt into piles." The book will appeal to early toddlers as well as beginning readers. This IS an educational book; The photo shows what I would call the "scooper," but it's clearly labeled the "blade." (I learned something!) Kids will love these explanatory pictures, the close-ups showing the parts, and the section on "What Bulldozers DO." This latter chapter is all about power. Bulldozers " push trees and rocks out of the way, "flatten bumps," "push snow" to "clear roads for cars and trucks," and, accompanying the most original picture, they `re shown pushing garbage into landfills" to "cover the garbage with dirt." Although the text and high quality (e.g., their color and focus) pictures capture the essence of the bulldozer, the photos (photographers get minimal credits, and there's no dates) look rather humdrum and unimaginative--perhaps the author was bulldozed by budget concerns. It's realism, but aside from the inherit "WOW" factor of big machines, it's fairly pedestrian realism. Curriculum-friendly features include a glossary, a "Read More" list of three books, and something called "Facthound." Here's how it works: Go to internet site www.facthound.com. Type in the code 0736825932 "for age-appropriate sites ("or enter a search word related to this book for a more general search"), and click the "Fetch It" button. Facthound will fetch the best sites for you!" (However, Facthound also necessitates adult help with that long "code." I'm not sure why they make it so difficult, perhaps it's to prevent young eyes from learning about the always "Concrete Mixers," another title in the "Mighty Machines" set.