Review by Booklist Review
Cars don't have to be built for speed to garner an enthusiastic fan base, as evidenced in this entry in the Curious about Cool Rides series (6 titles). Readers will discover the world of lowriders, learning that these fab cruisers first became popular in 1950s Los Angeles and have ties to Mexican American culture. On each two-page spread, a question is posed in a large font that is subsequently answered in a short paragraph of text. Using this formula, the book discusses defining aspects of lowriders (artistic paint jobs, specialized suspension systems, popular wheels, loud stereos) and events where owners can show off their customized rides. The clean design features a good balance between white space and crisp, colorful photos, and the back matter's questions, activities, and sources extend the text.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Following a readable question and answer format, this series fills readers in on all the basics of the coolest, fastest cars on the planet. Infographic-style sections throughout each book share information visually, relaying anything from the different stunts a monster truck can do in Monster Trucks to what the different colors and patterns of racing flags mean in Dragsters. Perhaps the coolest moment is when Grack notes the importance of lowriders in Mexican culture, with the accompanying photos reflecting that cultural focus. The back-and-forth feel of the writing has a personable tone that allows information to be delivered with casual ease. Readers are encouraged to stay curious, suggesting ways to evaluate the text and photos to identify more questions they can ask, then directing them where to search for answers once their interest has been piqued. VERDICT A first purchase series for all libraries.
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