WIDE LOAD ON THE ROAD

A red flatbed truck sets out on a journey after receiving a mysterious load.

At a shipping dock, a long, white cylindrical shape is lowered onto the truck’s bed. The vehicle then proceeds to the highway, rolls through a town, detours around a tunnel, climbs a mountain, and stops at a farm. Uncluttered, stylized digital compositions—in Savage’s signature style—employ shifting perspectives, dramatic diagonals, and dynamic patterns to add interest. The author/illustrator makes effective use of light and darkness as the day progresses from dawn to night. Playful typography is integral to the illustrations: In describing the load, Savage stretches the word “LONG” across two pages and pulls the font high for “TALL.” For “HEAVY,” he stacks the letters on top of one another. As a crane positions the object in the ground and the view pans out, savvy readers will understand that the object is a wind turbine, although Savage doesn’t name it in the text. Subsequent pages show transmission towers; the text reads simply: “It sends electricity…to the streetlights that guide the big red truck home...” It all comes full circle, providing a fitting conclusion, though inquiring minds may want to know how electricity is produced (adults will want to fill in the gaps for curious youngsters).

Delivers a load of fun.