Mitchell, a rambunctious 3-year-old, never wants to go to bed—that is, until he gets his driver’s license. His father’s shoulders become the vehicle of choice, and clever conceits are quick to follow: He cleans the windshield (his dad's glasses), kicks the tires (his slippers) and away they go! With each night, the curly-haired tyke creatively cares for his car, and his driving improves. But when Mitchell insists the tank is empty and cookies are the fuel, the amiable car takes control, ensuring the road to sleep is safe and smooth. Durand’s text will appeal to the active and car obsessed, but Fucile’s masterful illustrations, full of expressive characters, great physical comedy and wonderful warmth, will engage readers young and old. His digital artwork has a loving, hand-drawn quality to it, and while he pays homage to artists from the golden age of animation, Tex Avery and Bob Clampett among them, his style defines and refines American cartooning in the best possible sense. However, an opportunity was missed in the title’s overall design, as the typeface and the additional graphics, as well as their placement, are not adequately married to Fucile’s fine artwork. Minimalist environments, a neutral color palette and the home’s décor epitomize the modern ’50s era, while the bond between father and son is timeless. An incredibly entertaining ride, despite the design speed bumps. (Picture book. 3-7)
Pub Date: April 26, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4496-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 6, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2011
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their...
Less ambitious than Chris Gall’s widely known Dinotrux (2009) and sequels, this British import systematically relegates each dinosaur/construction-equipment hybrid to its most logical job.
The title figures are introduced as bigger than both diggers and dinosaurs, and rhyming text and two construction-helmeted kids show just what these creatures are capable of. Each diggersaur has a specific job to do and a distinct sound effect. The dozersaurus moves rocks with a “SCRAAAAPE!!!” while the rollersaurus flattens lumps with a cheery “TOOT TOOT!!” Each diggersaur is numbered, with 12 in all, allowing this to be a counting book on the sly. As the diggersaurs (not all of which dig) perform jobs that regular construction equipment can do, albeit on a larger scale, there is no particular reason why any of them should have dinosaurlike looks other than just ’cause. Peppy computer art tries valiantly to attract attention away from the singularly unoriginal text. “Diggersaurs dig with bites so BIG, / each SCOOP creates a crater. // They’re TOUGH and STRONG / with necks so long— / they’re super EXCAVATORS!” Far more interesting are the two human characters, a white girl and a black boy, that flit about the pictures offering commentary and action. Much of the fun of the book can be found in trying to spot them on every two-page spread.
Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their dino/construction kicks. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-9848-4779-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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