The Book of Cars and Trucks

June 1, 2019

K-Gr 2-Join Clever Cogz the robot dog and his sidekicks Nutty and Bolt on a journey through the topic of cars and trucks. Perfect for beginning readers, the book introduces the concept of a nonfiction text but does so in a manner directly aimed at this literacy level. The brightly colored illustrations will speak to a younger audience and allow for adventurous read-alouds. Each spread tackles a different topic. In one spread, a cartoonlike car is pictured and different parts are labeled in chunky black text, then explained in child-friendly terms. Cogz, Nutty, and Bolt "talk" about the topic by offering a fun fact or a comment that is part of a speech bubble. The book ends with a brief quiz that tests reader comprehension, but also allows for further review and conversation about the presented facts. VERDICT It can be difficult to find nonfiction books intended for younger readers and/or lower reading levels. Recommended for general purchase.-Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2019
Preschool-G Cogz, a robotic dog, and his sidekicks present cars and trucks to young children in this slim but information-packed book. Cogz introduces each topic, gives advice, and makes quips, while two colorful mice, Nutty and Bolt, appear in each scene and add their own comments. The first six double-page spreads present close-up views of cars, while the remaining four offer a quicker look at a camper, a cargo truck, the world's largest dump truck, and a fire engine. Simplified, cutaway pictures reveal cars' internal systems that kids usually don't see. No one drawing tries to illustrate all the working parts, but by the end of that section, young auto fans may get the gist of how (or, at least, where) parts such as the wheels, axle, steering column, and steering wheel fit together. Though the scenes are sometimes crowded with images and text, the book has a strong sense of overall design, expressed in the consistency of style and palette as well as the efficient use of space. An interesting mix of facts and fun.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)