Go, Little Green Truck!

November 16, 2015
This reassuring story takes on a familiar picture-book theme: a faithful farm vehicle (or animal) replaced by a younger, stronger worker. In introducing Little Green, Schotter (All About Grandmas) explains how the apple-green pickup truck, which looks like a 1940s Chevy, eagerly helps out Farmer Gray: “His rear end loaded with bundles, bales, and bins—sputter-sput-sput—Little Green was ready. Ready to rumble down the road.” But his cheery headlight eyes turn downcast after a shiny newcomer, Big Blue, arrives, and Little Green is literally put out to pasture. Rather than besting or rescuing the new truck, Little Green gets a makeover—one that makes him green in more ways than one, thanks to an engine fueled with corn and soy oil—and a new job carrying his family and their homegrown goods to the farmers’ market. Schotter’s narration and Kuo’s (Daisy and Josephine) flattened illustrations are similarly understated, lightly introducing ideas like buying local, being environmentally conscious, and finding creative ways to recycle what one already has. Ages 4–6. Author’s agent: Susan Cohen, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management.

December 1, 2015
A little green truck is the farm's best work truck, until he is replaced by a bigger and better model. Little Green is proud to work on the farm. He has sturdy tires, a shiny coat of bright green paint, and a front fender that curves into a winning smile. He scoots around, picking up packages from town and doing chores. But one day he hears the "Ehrr-ruh-ruh-ruh-ruh!" sound of a bigger, boastful truck. Big Blue seems to say, "I'm the biggest. I'm the bluest. I'm the best." Poor Little Green is left out in the pasture to rust. (It's the saddest picture of dismal abandonment one has ever seen, though he does have butterflies and birds to keep him company). Luckily, the farmer's daughter, Fern, has a brilliant plot to revive Little Green. They spiff him up and use him to transport crops to the farmers market--a gentle, delicate job. Little Green lives up to his color more than ever: he is now fueled with biodiesel and does his part to support sustainable agriculture. Kuo's lush, folk-art meadows roll across the pages to round out the farm, outlined in white instead of black and textured with dotted grass accents. The effect achieves a nostalgic yet trendy feel that works well with Little Green's two incarnations. A familiar trope with a subtle, ecological twist. (Picture book. 3-6)

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January 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Little Green is a busy truck: He picks up packages from the post office, fetches groceries from the market, and hauls pot-bellied pigs to their sty. Little Green shines with pride and delights in helping Farmer Gray on the farm, until one day, when he is replaced by a shiny new blue truck. Blue is stronger and has more room-he can carry pigs, goats, and cows-so Little Green is left behind in an empty meadow while new Blue gets to be busy with chores on the farm. Lonely, rusty, and sad, Little Green sits and waits for his chance to shine again. And the chance sure does come when Fern, Farmer Gray's daughter, suggests they sell the farm's produce at the new farmer's market in town. Little Green enjoys a fresh scrubbing, a new engine that runs on eco-friendly oil from the farm's vegetables, and, best of all, a new paint job. Ready to rumble again, Little Green is the perfect farmer's market truck in all seasons, carrying produce to and from the market and attracting cheer and admiration from market-goers and other happy trucks along the way. Filled with colorful artwork and expressive details, the illustrations lend themselves to the wholesome and somewhat retro quality of the book, which will delight readers of all generations. Little Green introduces children to seasonal produce and farm vocabulary, as well as eco-friendly concepts like alternative fuel sources and the benefits of buying local farm produce. VERDICT Little Green is sure to be a favorite of farmers market fans.-Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library

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