TRUCK PARTY!
By Tammi Salzano , Hannah Wood
Age Range: 1 - 3
The cheerful cover may entice truck enthusiasts, but bland text will only disappoint.
The relentlessly positive tone is set for the beginning, as smiling vehicles plan a birthday surprise for their friend. With no roadblocks to preparation, the gang all pitches in. Their work best suits their talents: Car Transporter drives in guests, for instance, and Tow Truck hauls the cake. Colorful balloons and sunny skies reinforce the buoyant ambiance. Pastel confetti further ups the cheer. Thick pages and the substantial trim size encourage toddlers to explore, but the text fails to energize the almost nonexistent plot. The stilted dialogue plods: “‘Wow!’ says Little Truck. ‘Thank you! You are great friends!’” There are really no surprises in this party planning. Ice Cream Truck (no jaw-dropper here) brings the ice cream, and Street Sweeper and Garbage Truck clean up the mess.
No need to RSVP, as this party's a snooze. (Board book. 1-3)