Machines @ Work

Machines Go to Work in the City

My Lil Guy loves looking out the windows as we are driving around together.  In the country he finds cows and goats, but in the city it’s all about the cars and trucks, big machines and construction.  While orange barrels mean using caution and traffic for me, Lil Guy can’t wait to see workers and machinery.  It’s this love of big machines that is celebrated in author/illustrator William Low’s new book Machines Go to Work in the City.  Low had previous success with his beautiful Old Penn Station and his latest book has much to enjoy as well. 

Machines Go to Work in the City takes readers on a trip through the city showing many city workers.  Each page spread also features a fold out page with an oversized picture of workers using each machine.   One of my favorite things about the book is the urban scenes showing diversity in workers.  We see female police officers and many different cultural groups represented in the many roles.  The machines themselves are also accurately drawn with many details such as the hydraulic lift on the utilities truck and the tool compartment on the vacuum truck.  Little details like this are also diagramed on the last few pages of the book giving older readers much wanted facts.

This book has a lot to like from high interest machines to beautiful drawings.  I can’t say that I will be excited about reading and rereading this book, but I know that Lil Guy enjoyed it and learned about machines too.  Recommended for interested non-fiction readers, ages 3 to 8.