Transport Illustrations

Monster Machines is a picture book aided at 3-5 year olds, showing transport in a number of different forms - all technically illustrated in full colour.

Sadly the 'monster' aspect is just a catchy title to appeal to kids and the reality of this book doesn't stand up to any adult scrutiny. For example the second vehicle featured may be the largest steam locomotive ever built, truly a monster machine, but five vehicles later we are looking at a really tiny four seater propeller plane - hardly a monster even to a three year old!

Despite being first published in Great Britain in 2003, this book has a very strong American bias at least in a couple of vehicle choices. Instead of a British Steam train there is a Wild West Train and the cement mixer has the traditional long engine at the front synonymous with American models.

Each illustration is accompanied by a brief description of the vehicle, and a question for younger readers to answer - such as where is the bell? Where is the steering wheel? etc.

Despite a few drawbacks this book is a real favourite of my 18 month old son - who loves to point at the Modern Tractor and shout excitedly "tac-ta".

5/10