Good Night, Little Blue Truck

July 15, 2019
Is it a stormy-night scare or a bedtime book? Both! Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are heading home when a storm lets loose. Before long, their familiar, now very nervous barnyard friends (Goat, Hen, Goose, Cow, Duck, and Pig) squeeze into the garage. Blue explains that "clouds bump and tumble in the sky, / but here inside we're warm and dry, / and all the thirsty plants below / will get a drink to help them grow!" The friends begin to relax. "Duck said, loud as he could quack it, / 'THUNDER'S JUST A NOISY RACKET!' " In the quiet after the storm, the barnyard friends are sleepy, but the garage is not their home. " 'Beep!' said Blue. 'Just hop inside. / All aboard for the bedtime ride!' " Young readers will settle down for their own bedtimes as Blue and Toad drop each friend at home and bid them a good night before returning to the garage and their own beds. "Blue gave one small sleepy 'Beep.' / Then Little Blue Truck fell fast asleep." Joseph's rich nighttime-blue illustrations (done "in the style of [series co-creator] Jill McElmurry") highlight the power of the storm and capture the still serenity that follows. Little Blue Truck has been chugging along since 2009, but there seems to be plenty of gas left in the tank. A sweet reminder that it's easy to weather a storm with the company and kindness of friends. (Picture book. 3-6)

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December 6, 2019

PreS-K-One evening, Little Blue Truck and his friend Toad are driving when a storm approaches. Blue and Toad race home to their garage, but soon their farm animal friends-Goat, Hen, Goose, Cow, Duck, and Pig-join them to get out of the rain. Soon, the rain and thunder dissipate and Blue drives his friends home, until he and Toad return to the garage and wish each other goodnight. With bouncy rhymes and delightful characters, the text is succinct and sprightly and the bold illustrations feature vivid, eye-catching colors, which will draw in young readers. The rhymes flow easily, making this a fun choice for a weather-themed storytime. VERDICT Great to read on a stormy day. Fans of Little Blue Truck and new readers alike will be charmed by this picture book adventure.-Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

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