Little Excavator

April 10, 2017
Little E, the smallest construction vehicle at the site of a future park, is eager to do his part in this raucous rhyming outing from the late Dewdney (the Llama Llama series), which is stuffed with noisy vehicular sound effects. “Little E tries lifting up some junk junk junk!” she writes, but the load is too much for him, and “there goes Little Excavator—over with a clunk!” The big trucks are kind and ready to rescue him, but they’re also busy (children will almost certainly think of the adults in their own lives), and it proves dispiriting for Little E to be constantly reminded that he’s neither independent nor helpful (“Not yet, Little Excavator... Someday when you’re big”). The story is familiar, but Dewdney’s little hero is so chipper and gung-ho—he breaks into a small, confident smile whenever he’s had a success—that it’s impossible not to root for him. When he finally gets a job that’s a perfect fit for his diminutive size, his happiness and the bow he takes are both well deserved. Ages 2–5. Agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary.

Narrator Mark Turetsky champions the smallest of a park's building crew--not the crane and not the backhoe, dump truck, or loader, but "Little E." Will there be any job that such a small machine can do? The Little Excavator's enthusiasm and determination are of a larger scale than he is himself. But with Turetsky's enthusiasm there is never any doubt. In a firm, clear voice, Turetsky shares the work details--the bamming, the chugging, and the thumping--all carefully enunciated and in rhythm. His pace is measured, and he emphasizes the rhyming words, leaving time to ponder each of Little E.'s attempts. Young listeners will be reading along and acting out the story in no time. A.R. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine