Staake and de Sève are a perfect match in this intergenerational tale that puts value on experience, memories, and time...
When Rowan receives his grandfather’s toy fire truck, he learns to see beauty—and adventure—in the old.
It’s Rowan’s birthday, and the red-haired white boy knows exactly which fire truck he wants. From the store window it beckons, with larger-than-life features and dazzling red paint. But instead, he gets Papa’s rusty old truck. Disappointment and tears brew, but it’s apparent Papa loves the old toy, and as he repairs Red, he recounts their daring deeds. A skeptical Rowan politely listens, until the stories become so interesting, so real, they fill the page, and Rowan is swept up in them, becoming part of Red’s history, seeing Red’s possibilities. Even before the fresh paint dries, Rowan realizes the beauty of Red—and of Papa. Staake’s signature style is as appealing as ever, but it’s his brilliant use of contrasting styles that gives Red its soul. Here, the new, modern toys are rendered in his typical, flat style, whereas Red is depicted with photorealism and loaded with texture, giving the old fire truck life, character, and depth. Papa’s memories of Red are done in an evocative sepia tone. As the adventures become more engrossing, Rowan is literally pulled into them until he is fully immersed, deepening his bond to his Papa.
Staake and de Sève are a perfect match in this intergenerational tale that puts value on experience, memories, and time spent together. An absolute delight. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: May 3, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-374-30073-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A terrific choice for the preschool crowd.
Little Blue Truck learns that he can be as important as the big yellow school bus.
Little Blue Truck is driving along the country road early one morning when he and driver friend Toad come across a big, yellow, shiny school bus. The school bus is friendly, and so are her animal passengers, but when Little Blue Truck wishes aloud he could do an important job like hers, the school bus says only a bus of her size and features can do this job. Little Blue Truck continues along, a bit envious, and finds Piggy crying by the side of the road, having missed the bus. Little Blue tells Piggy to climb in and takes a creative path to the school—one the bus couldn’t navigate—and with an adventurous spirit, gets Piggy there right on time. The simple, rhyming text opens the story with a sweet, fresh, old-fashioned tone and continues with effortlessly rhythmical lines throughout. Little Blue is a brave, helpful, and hopeful character young readers will root for. Adults will feel a rush of nostalgia and delight in sharing this story with children as the animated vehicles and animals in innocent, colorful countryside scenes evoke wholesome character traits and values of growth, grit, and self-acceptance. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A terrific choice for the preschool crowd. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: June 29, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-358-41224-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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