Power Machines

Who but Robbins ( Bridges ) could make a backhoe look ethereal? His distinctive hand-tinted photographs employ a technique in vogue during the earlier part of this century, and the air of nostalgia resulting from the soft focus and subdued palette serves as an intriguing contrast to the tough, muscular subject matter. Robbins covers a whole host of metallic beasts here, from the humble forklift and jackhammer to a steam-turbine generator and car flattener. Each double-spread display includes at least two photos as well as a catchy header (``Crush and Grind'' for the concrete crusher; ``Scoop and Dump'' for the payloader). Robbins distills the essence of each of the big machines into a single paragraph, minimal but meaty enough to satisfy even the most demanding young truck aficionado. A powerhouse of a picture book. Ages 5-8. BOMC selection. (June)