FARMER DALE’S RED PICKUP TRUCK

Plenty of wordplay and a rollicking rhythm turn a predictable plot into a practically perfect read-aloud. Farmer Dale, a friendly dog, offers rides to all the animals he encounters on his way to town. When the load proves too much for his old truck, Dale gets out to push. But only when all the other animals agree to help does the truck sputter to life again. Hinted at in a vignette on the title page, the Talent Contest pictured on the final spread explains just why a singing sheep, roller-skating pig, and accordion-playing goat were among those hoping to hitch a ride. Bates’s bucolic watercolor-and-wax pencil illustrations show a colorful countryside but keep the focus squarely on the anthropomorphized animals who sport hats, glasses, bowties, and other amusing accessories. Wheeler puns continuously with much of her wordplay, subtly enough to be noticed only on repeat readings. Luckily, this is one ride readers will look forward to taking over and over, allowing them to extract every bit of fun from the trip. (Picture book. 3-7)