THE CARS AND TRUCKS BOOK

Comfort and care take a momentary hiatus as premier bibliotherapist Parr tackles a whole new world of vehicular options.

Parr opts for standard preschool fare with his pretty paean to cool trucks and cars (but mostly trucks) everywhere. His signature style, combining bright, peppy colors and thick black lines, is an apt fit for the goofy array of at least semisentient trucks on display. Readers are repeatedly informed what it is that cars and trucks “LOVE” (“to be on the road,” “to be clean,” “to help people,” and “to say good night”). Seemingly unwilling to abandon his sense of responsibility for the well-being of the world entirely, Parr includes a note at the end that encourages readers to use buses or bikes too as well as an oddly adult list of nine tips for safe driving. In addition to Parr’s customarily offbeat color scheme, there’s a bit of an edge to this outing, making it an oddly refreshing read. Whether it’s the distinctly pointy teeth on the monster and ski-patrol trucks, the pizza truck that advertises itself as “Home of the Stinky Pot Pie” (its proprietor is a skunk), or the free-flying tighty whities and other undies on the top of a laundry truck, there’s much here to amuse both younger and older vehicle fans.

A book that will encourage even the youngest of fans to keep on truckin’.