CARS

The pit crew of Hubbell, Halsey and Addy continue their successful series of preschool books about vehicles with this high-octane look at cars. Like its two predecessors, Trains (2005) and Trucks (2003), the inventive collages of Cars—retrofitted with a 50s ambiance—fuel the clipped, energetic verses. “Fasten seatbelts. Off we go! Fast! Fast! Slow . . . Slow.” An amazing amount of information about the American love affair with the automobile is presented, ranging from grease monkeys and gas stations to the wide variety of transports and their internal parts. While it will take an eagle eye to discern some of the details, such personalities as pink flamingoes in a pink coupe, canine cops behind the wheels of bone-and-badge insignia sedans and mice cruising with their favorite cheese have curb appeal. The diverse typography and page-design help propel this winner past the finish line. (Picture book. 2-5)