The Runaway No-wheeler

October 1, 2020
Neither snow nor sleet nor missing wheels stay this brave 18-wheeler from its appointed round. Stein and Staake try their hand at a bit of plot after having created multiple books in the free-wheeling Cars Galore (2011) vein. Tony is a massive semi with plenty of experience delivering goods on time. Alas, today is one day when Tony will find himself tested like never before. First he loses a wheel when he slides on some slime. Then poor roads, baby ducks, and wheel thieves beset the brave truck in turn. After the encounter with wheel-eating aliens, Tony's lost 14 wheels. The last four are soon to follow, but what's that? Up ahead lies Tony's destination. Can he make it after all? Staake applies much of the cheerful chaos already perfected when he illustrated Margaret Wise Brown's similarly out-of-control The Steam Roller (2017). A cast of rainbow-colored people gapes and gawps as Tony barrels through candy-colored retro landscapes filled with tiny details for sharp little eyes (and a solid Seinfeld reference for older ones). Whether it's thieves, ET's, or slime, this book's rhymes never strain for the right number of syllables, upping the ante on the action beautifully. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 43.9% of actual size.) A bona fide fiasco on wheels that'll have the kids screaming for more. (Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from December 1, 2020

K-Gr 2-Tony the Truck is having a very bad delivery day. The normally reliable big rig encounters one disaster after another, from slipping on slime to narrowly avoiding a family of ducklings. With each misfortune, Tony loses a different number of wheels, prompting readers to try to keep track as they count backward from 18. Tony has a goofy, friendly face on his green cab and tows a bright red trailer. As he careens downhill, he passes castles, tunnels, suburban houses, and even a spaceship. The citizens of this wacky world have expressive faces and smooth silhouettes. Their skin tones range from light to dark, as well as Muppet-like shades of green, purple, and other colors. When Tony reaches the city, the skyline is dotted with humorous signs that adults reading along will get a kick out of. The text has an upbeat tempo and an impeccable sense of rhythm. Key words are illustrated in bright colors that pop off the page. One clever spread presents words in green, yellow, and red-like a traffic light-as the commands become more urgent. Tony slides into the delivery dock with nary an inch of rubber still attached to his axles. When he unloads his shipment, readers will chuckle. VERDICT This delightful misadventure teaches not only subtraction but also perseverance and determination. And it's funny-which every collection needs.-Chance Lee Joyner, Haverhill P.L., MA

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