Small Walt and Mo the Tow

July 15, 2018
Walt--a small but powerful, friendly-faced snowplow--continues to work with his driver, Gus. How can they help a green car that has gone off the road?Fans of Small Walt (2017) will not be disappointed. Along with a new, simple-but-satisfying plot, a few new characters, and new, whimsical motor noises, the text includes the winning refrain readers will recall from their earlier encounter with the team: "We're Gus and Walt. / We plow and we salt. / We clear the snow / so the cars can go!" This time, the pair is clearing a road "slick with ice" when they see a green car slide into a ditch. Walt is eager to scoop up the car, but Gus warns him to wait, as plows are for snow only. As Gus lends a hand to the green car's driver, Walt hears the "brumm-brumm-humma-hum" of Mo the Tow. Sue--a "lady in blue"--steers Mo toward the green car to tow it. Snow has been falling steadily, and the green car's owner sits in Gus' cab to stay warm. Before the story ends, Walt and Gus must rumble into action to help Mo and Sue drive close enough to rescue the car. Special kudos for the gender-stereotype-defying scenes of Sue confidently hitching and driving Mo. Delightful, retro artwork and clever text offer another tribute to teamwork and friendship. Gus is depicted with pale skin and Sue and the green car's driver with brown.Three dynamic duos: Gus and Walt; Sue and Mo; Verdick and Rosenthal. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.