Trains (Eye-Openers Series)

Rating:
Summary: Definitely in the wrong age classification
Review: I ordered this book for my 2-year old nephew who is currently obsessed with trains. Although the book is listed under the "baby to 3-years" category, I found little in it that would capture the imagination of a child in that age group. The pictures are photographic in their detail, but not very colorful or imaginative. Also, the author tries to introduce too much information and vocabulary into both the text and pictures. In particular, I often found little or no logic behind the selection of the small "detail" illustrations that appear above the larger train pictures that are on the bottom half of each 2-page section. For example, a detailed drawing of a "pantograph" appears twice; in neither case is any reference made in the text to what a pantograph is or does. This book might be useful as a simple, encyclopedia-type book for young elementary school children -- with the caveat that many terms and expressions used and even highlighted in the book are not explained. However, this book falls very low on the list of train books that I would give to a 0-to-3 year old.

Rating:
Summary: Great train book
Review: When I got this book for my son, he was 2 years old. A year and a half later it is still one of his favorites.

This is an essential book for any young kid that likes trains. Each page spread features one train and describes its distinguishing characteristics--freight train, steam engine, passeneger train, switcher, crane train, orient express, high-speed train, etc. The book buiilds the "train" vocabulary of the kids and also teaches them a little bit about teh history of this fascinating transportation method.

The amount of text on the page is limited, which is totally appropriate for the age group. In addition, it is pretty simple and straignforward, without the toddler-confusing informational blurbs that can often be found in similar "encyclopedic" books. The art is beautiful too--clear and very detailed photographic images of the trains.

Definitely a must for train lovers.

Rating:
Summary: Great train book
Review: When I got this book for my son, he was 2 years old. A year and a half later it is still one of his favorites.

This is an essential book for any young kid that likes trains. Each page spread features one train and describes its distinguishing characteristics--freight train, steam engine, passeneger train, switcher, crane train, orient express, high-speed train, etc. The book buiilds the "train" vocabulary of the kids and also teaches them a little bit about teh history of this fascinating transportation method.

The amount of text on the page is limited, which is totally appropriate for the age group. In addition, it is pretty simple and straignforward, without the toddler-confusing informational blurbs that can often be found in similar "encyclopedic" books. The art is beautiful too--clear and very detailed photographic images of the trains.

Definitely a must for train lovers.