JACK TRACTOR
by Willy Smax & illustrated by Keren Ludlow
A sequel to Benny the Breakdown Truck (1994), this collection of stories about anthropomorphized cars, trucks, and motorcycles will remind readers and listeners of Virginia Lee Burton's stories in their illustrative style and of the Thomas the Tank Engine books in their getting-along-nicely-with-others theme. However, both stories and pictures here are coarser and more commercial than those timeless models, and the intended audience is not likely to catch many of the puns in the characters' names: Mike McCannick, Francis Ford Popular, Alfie Romeo, Carmen Gear, Roland Royce. Strictly for collections or households where demand for books about talking vehicles can never be sated. (Picture book. 4-7)