Why don't ships sink? Why do cars need gasoline? Why do hot air balloons float? For such a slim volume, "I Wonder Why Planes Have Wings" contains a vast amount of information. Publishers recommend it for 5-8 year-olds though some of its pages will even flabbergast adult readers!

However, in the hands of a sensitive reader, this book (and others in the series) can certainly arouse a child's curiosity and give him/her a lasting interest in history. The explanations of what happens inside car engines and what makes trains stay on their rails may confuse the youngest readers but may also enthral an older child and inspire further research.

The haphazard arrangement of questions and answers on the pages makes the book a bit hard to follow; where to look next? But excellent illustrations anchor the text and add interest to the many facts presented. Ultimately, these books form a wonderful educational base from which to branch out when appropriate.