Old MacDonald Had a Truck

Starred review from January 15, 2016
A barnyard frolic puts a new spin on a favorite interactive song. As dawn breaks over a rural landscape, a smiling, white-haired, white couple make their way down a road in a dilapidated pickup carrying an unidentifiable pile of metal. Old MacDonald and, presumably, his wife are greeted by a construction crew of farm animals ready to start their day. Traditional lyrics begin the story, but a turn of the page reveals that what Old MacDonald has is an "EXCAVATOR!" Digging and scooping lead to squishing and smashing, spinning and whirling as the exuberant text tumbles from one page to the next in a kind of visual onomatopoeia. A large trim size and landscape layout invite youngsters to follow the action of heavy machinery and sing along to "E-I-E-I-WHOOOA!" and "E-I-E-I-UH-OH!" While her spouse directs the digging, Mrs. MacDonald calmly rebuilds the truck's engine, adding a supersized set of tires and a new coat of paint. She and an animal pit crew transform the pickup into a monster truck ready to roll, as her husband prepares a track and grandstand for viewers. By day's end, the two of them drive off, this time with the wife in the driver's seat. Loosely drawn illustrations in pencil and gouache are perfect for the lively setting, with tool-filled endpapers anticipating an extraordinary barnyard story. Loads of infectious fun make this a read-aloud treat. (Picture book. 2-5)

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May 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-A new twist on a classic story and song, this book is just pure fun. All readers know about Old MacDonald and the things on his farm. But they will love the new toys he has in this tale. All the usual animal friends are present in the illustrations, but he's also got excavators, bulldozers, and dump trucks. The lyrics of the song may have a nonsense-type flow, but that will make singing/telling the story that much more fun. The illustrations are rich and tell as much of the story as the text does. Gender roles are slightly flipped, as Old MacDonald's partner in the book is a woman who clearly knows her way around the farm and a steamroller, too. This is a book that could be used to teach a multitude of lessons.

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