AH-6 Little Birds CH-46 Sea Knights UH-60 Black Hawks Littoral Combat Ships

Gr 3—5—These slim volumes have a limited, but sufficient amount of information. Designed as introductory material, each volume briefly describes the history and use of the featured machine and provides a page listing its physical specifications: primary function, height, weight, length, top speed, crew, etc. Vocabulary is appropriate, with glossary words in boldface. "Fast Fact" boxes provide additional information. Illustrations are spread-filling, action-packed color photos that sometimes feature a smaller superimposed photo, adding detail. Each title has a color theme—green, blue, or burnt orange—with the pages matching the color of the cover. The photography has been digitally altered to permit the page color to dominate the photo background. There are a few captions, but the narratives are descriptive enough that they are not usually necessary. The only criticism is that the opening paragraph of each title is a contrived battle scenario, and the conclusions are a bit weak. Still, these books are good choices for libraries needing this genre and level.—Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS