HOLE IN THE ROAD

Introducing young readers to the fascinating world of machines, the jobs they do and the roles they fulfil, this book tells the story of how a crane, steamroller and other machines go through the process of mending a road. The book ends with a gatefold which shows all the vehicles in the book.

Reviewed with Philip Ardagh's All at Sea.

PreS-K. These appealing books offer short texts and crisp, colorful illustrations. In All at Sea, "It's a busy day at the harbor. Cars and trucks drive into the back of a ferry." A variety of vessels gathers to form an unlikely convoy: hovercraft, cargo ship, yacht, fishing boat, speedboat, submarine, ocean liner, tanker, tugs, aircraft carrier. Children may wonder why the water-skier is wearing a furry, pink bunny suit; for adults, the question is why the "bow doors" are at the back of the ferry. The text provides no clues, just a brief, bland commentary on the procession of watercraft. A Hole in the Road is caused by a burst water pipe. From the arrival of the workers to the departure of the last truck, the illustrations provide a succession of heavy machines doing their jobs--digging, dumping, hauling, lifting, filling, paving, and rolling--until the job is done. A cat and dog chase each other about the work site, offering a bit of comic relief. Apparently an import, the British Mighty Machines series will appeal to young children who love to watch boats and road machinery in action. Carolyn Phelan
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