The First Cars

Gr 2–4—Each title starts with a single-page introduction about the importance or popularity of each technology, followed by spreads that show eight examples of firsts (Airplanes discusses monoplanes, jet airplanes, and jumbo jets, among others). The text is on the spare side and essentially functions as captions for the photos. The continuing time line that runs along the bottom of the pages adds more information, but the unvarying format and average-quality photos will do little to hold students' interest. Some of the content is too complex for the intended beginning-reader audience. For example, both Computers and Airplanes mention aspects of World War II without background or explanation. Emerging readers should be able to read these books but may struggle with putting what they read into a technological or historical context. Additional choices at best.