Min Makes a Machine (I Like to Read)

Min, the ingenious, intrepid little pachyderm protagonist of the early reader 3-2-1-Go, is back to save the day with a new invention. The social dynamics are the same: Min, whose bright pink bow embodies her indomitable energy, wants to play with older elephants Ann and Bess, but they view Min as a pest at best. (Readers with older, too-cool-for-you siblings will instantly identify.) In this installment, it's a brutally hot day on the savannah, but Ann and Bess would rather sweat, sulk, and tell Min to "go play with someone else" than do anything to change their situation. Not Min: she figures out a way to flood an empty pool using water from a nearby well and an Archimedes's Screw (although it's not named as such), and suddenly the pages are awash in splashes of bright, almost palpably cooling blue. McCully (Caroline's Comets) breaks down Min's problem solving into digestible, replicable parts and acknowledges that every great solution takes hard work. It's a nifty lesson in both science and tenacity, but some may wish that McCully had slipped in an etiquette lesson as well: would it kill Ann and Bess to thank Min? Ages 4-8. (July)

PreS-Gr 1--Min is back and still solving problems like a pro. It is so hot that no one wants to play with Min. She makes a fan--still too hot for Ann and Bess. If only the old pool had water; playing in the pool would be perfect on such a hot day. Min (aka MacGyver) is on the job! First she finds an old well then, using only her STEM knowledge, a tube, a hose, and some glue, she siphons the water from the well into the pool. This amazing bit of science fills the pool and fun play in the cool water follows. McCully's illustrations are spare but perfect for the text and focus on the action at hand. Her depiction of Min's syphon is clear and easy to reproduce, if one should want. VERDICT This pachyderm's predilection for problem solving will delight readers who will want to try this for themselves. Sure to be popular for STEM lessons and a good addition for most collections.--Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH