Good intentions cannot save this oddly executed ode.
Fiction and fact mix and meld in this feminist motorcycling history.
A female motorcycle with the name Jessie emblazoned on her side aims to show naysayers—and the world—just what a girl (bike) can do. Starting in 1906, the tale follows the plucky anthropomorphized vehicle as she becomes the first female bike to cross the country. She’s turned down when she tries to sign up to be a courier in World War I, joining a traveling exposition instead. An injury puts her out of commission, but Jessie’s mantra is “Fast and strong, / I won’t be slowed! / In rain or shine, I’ll forge my road” (a refrain that changes slightly over the course of the narrative). And when World War II rolls around, she’s hired to courier messages around the country. Backmatter pays homage to female motorcyclists of the past with a particularly long essay and a timeline. The book’s heart is in the right place, but the follow-through is thoroughly muddled. Is this a world where motorcycles are entirely sentient? Such internal logic breaks down entirely at times, as when Jessie declares herself the first “woman” to reach the top of Pike’s Peak. One can’t help but imagine how much stronger this story could have been had it focused on the real female bikers of the past and not a mechanical, googly-eyed stand-in. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Good intentions cannot save this oddly executed ode. (further reading) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-5420-3422-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Two Lions
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
Kids will come for the construction vehicles and leave with some social-emotional skills.
Anthropomorphic trucks and construction vehicles work through big feelings.
“I’m Cranky,” announces a yellow crane—that’s our protagonist’s name and state of mind. It’s a big day at the construction site; everyone’s completing work on the construction of a new bridge. Friends like Zippy the cement mixer and Wheezy the forklift encourage Cranky to cheer up. But their positivity only makes Cranky feel worse. Cranky eats alone at lunch and feels increasingly isolated as the day goes on. When Zippy and Wheezy express concern, Cranky suddenly becomes even more upset: “Asking me what’s wrong makes me feel like it’s not okay for me to be cranky!” The others back off, and slowly, the grouchy crane’s mood starts to improve. And the friends are right there when Cranky is ready to open up. Bright colors, adorably anthropomorphic vehicles, and layouts that alternate between vignettes and full-page spreads will hold readers’ attention through what is a mostly introspective narrative. Tran imparts some solid messages, such as the importance of giving pals the space they need and communicating your needs, even if you choose not to share everything. Some of the nuance will be lost on younger readers, but the story will spark conversations with others. Construction puns such as “self-of-steam” should get some chuckles from older kids and adults.
Kids will come for the construction vehicles and leave with some social-emotional skills. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9780063256286
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023
Only for kids who really, really want to look at pictures of tractors.
A purple tractor discovers his purpose.
“Deep in farm country…Purple Tractor had a comfortable home and loving parents, but he was unhappy.” The other tractors—orange, red, and blue—make fun of him because of his inability to perform farm-related chores. He finds comfort talking with Brown Truck, who’s lived on the farm longer than any other vehicle and tells stories about the old days. Brown Truck has the perfect job for Purple Tractor: working on a construction site. Purple Tractor heads to a construction site with Brown Truck and enjoys the work. His fellow farm tractors start to feel threatened by his new sense of self, but once he saves the day after a severe weather event, he eventually finds his place in both worlds. Exhaustingly long blocks of text are paired with static illustrations of pastoral and urban scenes. While heavy machinery is often an automatic hit with young children, this one will have a hard time finding an appreciative audience. The story is wordy, with a leaden sentimentality that comes from painstakingly explaining what lessons readers should be taking away. The heroism in this Little Heroes, Big Hearts series leaves a lot to be desired.
Only for kids who really, really want to look at pictures of tractors. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728278315
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
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