From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1–This simple, yet well-conceived concept book depicts several types of tools used in various professions, with two spreads devoted to each one. The first shows 6 to 10 clearly labeled items; the page turn reveals the name of the related occupation printed in large, bold letters on the left and a picture of someone using the tools on the right. For example, illustrations of an open-end wrench, bolt, etc., are followed by the word Mechanic and a picture of a man in a uniform fixing a motorcycle, all surrounded by white space. Done in Adobe Illustrator, the objects are shown to scale and with just enough detail to satisfy inquisitive young minds. This excellent easy reader is a must for updating those well-worn titles in your collection. Pair it with Lola M. Schaefer's
Toolbox Twins (Holt, 2006) for a tool-themed storytime.
–Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Each profession has its own tools. Japanese illustrator Miura shows a distinctive set of tools on a double-page spread, identifying items such as a clamp, a saw, and nails. A turn of the page reveals the worker using them. Prereading children will enjoy identifying the tools, but their biggest challenge will be guessing the occupation represented. Doctor, chef, and painter may be the easiest jobs to identify, but most children will be stumped by the watchmaker's tools. With the exception of the "try square," known here. as the "framing square," most of the tools' names are in common use in the U.S. Graphically bold and distinctive, the subtly textured, shaded shapes of the implements show up clearly on the colored pages. On the alternating spreads, the workers are pictured against white backgrounds. The guessing-game aspect adds an element of fun to this beautifully designed and distinctively illustrated book.
Carolyn PhelanCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
