Trucker and Train (review #2), written by Hannah Stark, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Miles G.
Summary: At first, Trucker (the truck) was self centered and rude, as he aspired to be the best one automobile on the road. When he met Train (the train), his world was shaken, as he realized Train was mightier than he was. At the end of the story, all of the other cars are about to be hit by Train because the gate is broken. Trucker puts his selfish thoughts aside and blocks off the cars from going over the track. He is now friends with all of the other cars and everyone is happy.

Straight Talk for Librarians: It could help kids learn about the different kinds of cars on the road. It references trucks, pickup trucks, trains, mopeds, and cars. I really enjoyed this book. It has a nice change in tone/plot that would be appropriate and exciting to children. It is about a truck (Trucker) that changes his perspective of the road when he meets a stronger and louder means of transportation (Train). He saves all of the other cars that he had treated poorly before in the end, and everyone is happy. I loved the illustrations. The faces on all of the cars were cute, and it was entertaining to see their different facial expressions throughout the book. The style was artistically simple, and it really helped guide the story. The color schemes were very nice too, I liked how the artist changed from the grayer city to the autumn countryside, it was a great use of contrast. This book can be used in many ways. I imagine it would be a very nice book for a parent to read to their child. I could also see a teacher reading it aloud to a class. Children could additionally improve their reading skills with this book, as it is simple enough for them to understand while also including more complex words that they would learn. Some of these words include, gleam, fascinated, greet, smitten, captivated, starstruck, hauling, and beamed. This book can also be used to teach children important lessons. One may be to treat others with respect. When Trucker was rude to the other cars, there were times when he felt "smaller than he had ever felt before," and in the end he was happy with all of his new friends. This book can also be used in schools to educate kids about the different kinds of cars and the terminology associated with them. This was a really nice book!