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THE DIGGERS ARE COMING!

Name: THE DIGGERS ARE COMING!
Author: Susan Steggall
ISBN: 978-1-84780-288-0

by Susan Steggall ; illustrated by Susan Steggall ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2013

Perfect for the very young truck fanatic.

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All kinds of bruising vehicles have a part in creating a new housing development in this muscular import from the U.K.

First comes the big red wrecker, its ball swinging to bash the old buildings to the ground. Then the planners come, to measure and mark, followed by the bulldozers, who “shave and shift and shove all day.” The type goes across the page in various directions and routes, sometimes bold and even bolder, from tiny to enormous. Diggers and tippers (dump trucks) are next, to finish the job of preparing the ground, then cement mixers, to lay the concrete foundation. Then sturdy trucks show up with cement blocks and other building materials. Busy builders go to work with hard hats and hammers and hods, and the buildings start to rise. Some materials need a crane. Steamrollers help smooth out all the bumpy bits. Before long, the trucks coming to the site are moving vans, full of furniture and the other belongings of all the families that will be moving into these immaculate new homes. Steggall’s use of color makes stars of her machines; the buildings and ground, with scant greenery, are in earth tones, while gleaming bright vehicles—in orange and bold yellow and blue—really pop in her textured collages. Her text has lots of phonic and onomatopoeic crunch as well.

Perfect for the very young truck fanatic. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-84780-288-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Frances Lincoln

Review Posted Online: July 16, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2013

Categories:

CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
COLORS
by Susan Steggall ; illustrated by Susan Steggall

- BOOK REVIEW
FOLLOWING THE TRACTOR
by Susan Steggall ; illustrated by Susan Steggall

- BOOK REVIEW
RED CAR, RED BUS
by Susan Steggall & illustrated by Susan Steggall

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CRANKY

by Phuc Tran ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024

Kids will come for the construction vehicles and leave with some social-emotional skills.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

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LITTLE PURPLE TRACTOR

From the Little Heroes, Big Hearts series

by Erin Guendelsberger ; illustrated by Annelouise Mahoney ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

Only for kids who really, really want to look at pictures of tractors.

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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)