Children’s Books Offer Informative Look at Construction Equipment

For those of us who live in urban areas such as Houston, it’s a familiar scenario when a little voice from the back of the car suddenly pipes up, “Mommy, what’s that big machine over there?” That’s easy, it’s a bulldozer. But then the questions keep coming, leaving even adults wondering about the bevy of construction equipment that is an everyday sight on our roads and highways.

A series of children’s books by Rice’s Linda Williams helps answer those questions. The Mighty Machines book set (Capstone Press, 2004) includes Backhoes, Bulldozers, Concrete Mixers, Cranes, Dump Trucks, and Earth Movers.

Geared toward children ages 5 to 8, the books are large with simple text and colorful, unique photography. All the books follow the same formula: a general description of the piece of equipment and its function, a section on the parts of the machine, and a chapter specifically on its purpose. All the books include a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.

They encourage children to learn more about the machinery by offering a “Read More” section and information about a website, http://www.facthound.com, where children can access a list of sites related to the book’s topic.

Designed for use in schools and libraries, the books are informative, but they also are repetitive. While this likely is a strong selling point for younger children, those in the 6 to 8 age range might find the books a little below their reading level. Because of the subject matter, the books are more likely to appeal to boys.

The books’ best feature is the photography, and the close-ups include labels that point to the different parts. There also are photos of the machines at work.

Williams, a technical writer for the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, has penned another series of books whose titles include Chemistry Demystified, Earth Science Demystified, and Environmental Science Demystified.

—Dana Benson