After a brief introduction about how machines help people at home, at work and at play, How Things Work offers simple, basic explanations of everyday objects and their use. Topics range from structures, such as bridges and roller coasters, to vehicles, personal items (cameras, guitars, books) and the conversion of natural resources to usable forms of energy (oil and electricity). Suitable for children who have often wondered how a common object is produced or how it functions, this volume not only provides the answers but might also spark further research.

      Animals and Nature focuses on the major animal classifications and the animals which best exemplify each group. The elements, air, earth and water, as well as several habitats are also featured. Generally, very brief overviews of the topics are given along with some interesting facts, but certainly not enough information for even primary grade research. Sub-topics largely depend on what is unique about the animal- the butterfly's life cycle, for instance, or the difference between the snouts of crocodilians. Of the four titles, this one is the least comprehensive. Though the authors must have found it difficult to decide which topics to include, some of the categories are questionable. A few examples: why include "farm" in a book that discusses the natural environment? some habitats but not others? mountain but not volcano? and why a two-page spread on the universe when the main thrust of the book is animals?

      A First Atlas begins with a cross-section of the earth and explains how land masses have changed over time. There is a very rudimentary lesson on map reading - basically just legend (symbols and lines) - that helps youngsters to read the maps in each section of the book. Starting with Canada, the volume is then arranged by geographic regions of the various continents rather than by country. Large, colourful maps introduce each continent, followed by information on the regions - the lands of the Andes, West Africa and the Mediterranean, to name a few. The book provides a brief glimpse into the climate, animals, plants, land forms, economy, culture and history of specific countries, but this information is not uniform throughout the book. Rather, the focus depends on the country. In the information on the Amazon region, for example, the rainforest is featured, whereas Australia's claim to fame is her unique animals, both the interesting marsupials and the dwellers of the Great Barrier Reef. Most appealing are the wonderful photographs of the people and the natural and built environments.

      With its emphasis on the physical, emotional and social development of humans, All About People discusses such topics as body systems, the five senses, illness and healing, feelings, friends, family relationships and how people live: eating, drinking, learning, moving, sleeping and playing. Time lines for the main life stages highlighted are also provided along with general statements about the abilities and activities of humans at those stages. In contrast to the white backgrounds of the majority of pages, the backgrounds of those pages depicting a new life stage are brightly coloured, drawing attention to the topic and helping students to find the necessary information.

      Generally, a good beginning encyclopedia.

Recommended.