Gr 1-3-Both of these step-by-step guides offer insights into worlds of interest to young readers. How does candy get made? And what happens to the mail after it has been posted? Candy Company has broad subject appeal but is shortchanged by full-color photographs that do not always clearly illustrate the process described and that lack sufficient labeling. Because the pictures were shot in factories or "on the job," they also tend to have dark backgrounds and lack crispness and visual appeal. Uneven coverage might leave detail-oriented youngsters with questions. Since they are told what happens to peanuts that aren't up to standard, they might wonder about deformed or damaged candy fillings, or what happens to the "extra" chocolate that is broken off certain candy bars. Post Office explains how mail is collected, sorted, and delivered. Each step is accompanied by a large, color photograph but, as in the previous book, there aren't sufficient captions to point out the specific parts of machinery involved in each process and it's not always clear what the picture is illustrating. Serviceable but flawed offerings.-Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
