Mighty Dads

March 10, 2014
“Like father, like son” holds true even when Dad and Junior are heavy-duty construction equipment. “Dump Truck Sturdy/ teaches Dumpy to get dirty/ They go fill, drive, dump,” writes Holub (Little Red Writing), as Pete the Cat creator Dean shows a hulking blue and red truck create an impressive mountain while his offspring makes an adorable molehill. Like the best 21st-century human dads, the vehicles don’t just show their kids the ropes—they also offer plenty of TLC (“Cement Mixer Busy/ gives a hug if Mixie’s dizzy”) and affirmation (“Forklift Wise/ cheers whenever Forky tries”). Dean’s decision to anthropomorphize the construction equipment solely through a highly stylized, often single, forward-facing eye takes some getting used to—imagine a cross between the Eye of Providence on the dollar bill and a Egyptian hieroglyph. But his construction sign–inspired palette and ability to convey calm, steady affection between parent and progeny quickly outweighs this visual idiosyncrasy, making this a book worthy of any young armchair foreman. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Liza Pulitzer Voges, Eden Street Literary.

April 1, 2014
Big-daddy and little-kid trucks of all kinds are busy at work on a construction site. Holub uses rhyme--which is often forced--and repetition to create what is most likely intended to be an over-the-top interactive reading-aloud success. Some phrasing really works: "Excavator Big / helps little Vator dig. / They go scoop, scoop, scoop." Others are not as impressive: "Backhoe Steady / waits for Hoe-Hoe to get ready. / They go trench, trench, trench." Along the way, cranes reach, boom trucks crash, mixers pour and steamrollers pave. Each spread features Dean's (Pete the Cat series) brightly hued vehicles--one huge and one tiny. They are always calmly working together. Each wears the exact same heavy-lidded expression, except when the day is done and it looks as though all the trucks are sleeping. Clearly a Dean trademark, this nevertheless comes across as a missed opportunity to visually engage readers and add some energy. Shouldn't these dad-and-child pairs look like they're having a good time together? Sure to enjoy commercial success thanks to the marquee talent, this effort will result in more disappointment than enjoyment. (Picture book. 2-5)

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June 1, 2014

May 1, 2014
Preschool-K The author of Little Red Writing (2013) and Zero the Hero (2012) offers an ode to construction vehicles and their offspring. Using rhymed couplets and action verbs, 10 spreads introduce individual heavy machines and their functions: Excavator Big / helps little Vator dig. / They go / scoop, / scoop, / scoop. Dean, best known for the Pete the Cat books, depicts both large and small versions of vehicles doing their thing. Throughout, each is realistically portrayed, save for anthropomorphizing eyes. The colorful artwork also includes interesting details (motor oil, toolbox, construction cones) without becoming cluttered. Once everyone is introduced, the young ones join their dads at work, and at the end of the day, Mighty Dads say, / I'm proud of you! / Tomorrow let's build / something new!' This makes for a perfect choice for story hoursthe vivid verbs demand to be chanted and dramatizedand pairs nicely with Sherri Duskey Rinker's Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (2011) or Kate Banks' more realistic The Night Worker (2000).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)