In Spanish, empezando means “starting out,” and that’s exactly what these books help young learners do. This charming ongoing series captures a young child’s first encounters with the world around them, offering an engaging introduction to the creatures, people, and objects in their everyday environment. The series uses simple, easy-to-understand language and employs a unique first-person perspective to guide readers through foundational physical concepts. One of the series’ most appealing features is its clear and straightforward text, which is perfect for early learners and young readers. Large, vivid photographs and captions that describe new vocabulary offer an immersive experience that is both entertaining and educational. Children will delight in seeing vehicles in action, while learning about physical features, daily activities, and surrounding influences that make each subject unique. “Empezando” offers opportunities for young readers to develop a better understanding of their own environment, encouraging curiosity and helping children recognize the unique qualities that make every object they encounter significant. VERDICT These books serve as an engaging tool for learning, sparking curiosity in young minds as they begin to explore and make sense of the world around them.

School Library Journal

With crisp photos, colorful lettering, and a clean design, these new additions to the Starting Out (Empezando) series (12 new titles) can’t help but catch the eye. Each volume opens with an image of its featured machine set against a white backdrop and with its key parts labeled. Four double-page spreads then follow the vehicle on the job (or just zooming around), implementing short but descriptive sentences in tandem with full-page and spot photos. Readers visit different construction sites in Cranes, in which loads are lifted, moved, and steadied by cranes on the land and water, as well as from the air. The main text section is always followed by a “Make a Noise” spread, where the vehicle’s sounds (rrrumm! rrrumm!) arc across the pages in a large, colorful font. Each volume has a link to a YouTube video that plays a recording of corresponding engine noises, sirens, etc. and an invitation to the reader to try mimicking the sounds. A short glossary, “Reading Corner” list, and index comprise the back matter.