Wake Up, Trucks!

Meet trucks of all types in this action-packed story!

At the beginning of the day, a bevy of anthropomorphic trucks and construction equipment awaken to prepare for their busy day building a city: “Diggers like to eat and eat / when breakfast is a tasty treat. Eggs and toast and bacon? / YUCK! / THAT’S not food to feed a truck! / Slurp some oil–power BLAST! / Now we’re set for driving FAST!” The book reminds readers that different trucks have different responsibilities: Dump trucks carry heavy materials, excavators dig into the ground, cranes lift up materials safely, and so on. At the end of the day, the trucks are cleaned and get ready for the night. Caregivers annoyed at the emphasis on petroleum-based fuel earlier in the book may be slightly mollified by an image of a cement truck plugged into an electrical charger. The story adds nothing new to the canon of transportation-themed titles, but for young readers obsessed with trucks and construction sites, the book will be a welcome read. Librarians and educators will appreciate the vibrant digital illustrations that can be seen from the back of a storytime room. The bold colors and geometric art make up for the lack of originality by presenting readers with a vibrant world—one where pinks and fuchsias appear at home on a construction site. 

It treads familiar ground but does so well enough. (Picture book. 3-5) –Kirkus Reviews