HOLE IN THE ROAD (Mighty Machines)

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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