Hot Air Balloons

Many young kids are fascinated with “things that go.” This series on various types of vehicles will delight those readers with colorful photos and accessible explanations of the basic mechanics of each machine. Each book includes a diagram of how the parts work together to make the vehicle move. The images show a variety of power types, such as steam, diesel, electric, maglev, and hydrail trains. Segments like“Ideas for Parents and Teachers” offer a few generic suggestions for before, during, and after reading, but more specific tips for each title would have made this feature more helpful. Recommended extension activities in each book vary in quality, from experimenting with friction and toy cars to simply spinning in place to imitate a helicopter. VERDICT Robust collections where these topics are in high demand may want to consider these titles.