TURBO'S SPECIAL DELIVERY

Can a fast truck slow down?

One day, speedy Turbo is the only truck left in the lot, and brown-skinned Rosa, the supervisor, needs him for a special job: carrying fragile cargo. Before he leaves, Rosa reminds him he can’t make any fancy moves on the road, like zigging, zagging, bouncing, or sliding. Turbo ZOOMS out…but then remembers to s-l-o-w down. During the journey, he takes it easy and can’t believe other vehicles are actually passing him. But Turbo’s unhurried pace turns out to be a good thing, for it allows a duck family to amble across the road. Another positive of leisureliness? For the first time, Turbo notices fresh country air and beautiful scenery. Finally, Turbo moves downhill toward his final destination—the park—with his very precious load still perfectly, deliciously intact. This cute story reassures kids that controlling impulses isn’t as hard as it might seem—plus it offers noticeable benefits and immediate rewards. Readers will relate to cute Turbo, who’s an expressive, vulnerable stand-in for little ones who often find it hard to slow down. All-capped onomatopoeic words, incorporated into the colorful, lively digital artwork, enliven the proceedings. Background human characters are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A reminder that when life’s moving too fast, it’s OK to step on the brakes and rein yourself in.