Trucks Zooming By

July 22, 2019
Jane explores trucks from an atypical angle, featuring the perspective of a child accompanying her truck driver parents on a long-distance delivery. Toy truck in hand, the girl spots the usual suspects—dump truck, digger, fire engine—en route, as well as some less standard varieties: drill truck, panel truck, and food truck (“BBQ 2 Go”). When the family finally unloads their cargo, the child wistfully imagines becoming a truck driver in the future. Simple, cheery rhymes underline vehicles’ many uses (“Whatever needs hauling,/ From pizza to pigs,/ Can ride right along/ On those fabulous rigs!”), and Gott’s straightforward illustrations offer an equally sunny picture of life on the road (nary a traffic jam in sight). Educational back matter encourages readers to find a dozen different vehicles scattered throughout and describes the unique attributes of each. Ages 2–7.

July 15, 2019
A second-generation truck lover indulges in a favorite pursuit. "It's time to get up now. / We're ready to load. / Goodbye to the city. / Hello to the road!" A ponytailed kid climbs aboard their parents' truck to accompany them on a haul. Along the way, a plethora of fellow vehicular travelers catch the narrator's eye: fire engines, trailers, flatbeds, and more. Finally the delivery is made (mom and dad trade off driving, which makes for a nice touch), and the protagonist is left to dream of having a truck of their own someday. Backmatter includes two pages of different types of trucks accompanied by additional information. While young enthusiasts who devour all things truck related will be appeased, there is not much to distinguish this book from the scads already on the market. The rhymes are unexciting ("A trucker will haul things / A very short way / Or far across country / In one single day"), and there is the occasional odd illustration choice, as in the image of two Dalmatians sticking their heads up into the air from the body of a fire engine. Dad presents white while mom and child have a slightly darker skin tone. Ten-four, good buddy; there are plenty of trucks to ogle, but unless you're a fanatic, just drive on by. (Picture book. 3-6)

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