by Stephen Savage Book list *Starred Review* Let's face it. Some trucks get all the glory, rushing about to repair a sparking power line, put out a fire, or tow a stranded school bus. Meanwhile, the lowly garbage truck goes about his work, collecting trash and hauling it away. But when a blizzard immobilizes the city and even the important bucket truck, fire engine, and tow truck can't get through the snow, the garbage truck adds a plow and becomes SUPERTRUCK, digging out the streets. The next day, he is back to his old job, collecting the garbage while the other vehicles wonder about the mighty truck who saved them. The short, pithy text is paired with beautifully composed illustrations in which clean lines, blocks of color, and effectively used textures create varied, evocative city scenes. Best known for illustrating picture books such as Lauren Thompson's Polar Bear Night (2004) and his own Where's Walrus? (2011), Savage makes the trucks into vivid characters by adding simple facial features. He also gives the intrepid garbage truck big black glasses, which go missing when he goes into super mode, suggesting Clark Kent's classic transformation into Superman. Just right for winter storytimes, this winning picture book will find an appreciative audience beyond just young truck-lovers.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. Publishers Weekly In a city "full of brave trucks," writes Savage (Little Tug), the green bucket truck, red fire truck, and blue tow truck spend their days rescuing this and fixing that, all with can-do smiles. But the nebbishy, bespectacled garbage truck? He's not only colorless, "He just collects the trash." Of course, Clark Kent flew under the radar, too-and, sure enough, when a blizzard hits, that very same garbage truck emerges from his garage as the snow-plowing Supertruck. He "digs out the whole city" (as well as his snazzier counterparts), only to disappear without waiting for thanks: "The next morning, the trucks wonder about the mighty truck who saved them. Where could he be?" Savage's take on the superhero myth is terrific: there's no bullying or teasing of the garbage truck, which makes his Supertruck transformation a triumph pure and simple. And the images are as fun as they are gorgeous: Savage's vehicles exude a Golden Book sweetness, while his city scenes have both a crisp stylishness and an emotional punch. Ages 2-6. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Jan.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved School Library Journal PreS-K-Superpowers and vehicles collide in this tale of an unassuming garbage truck and his own alter ego. All city trucks have a mission; whether it's rescuing broken down buses, or fighting fires, they all help to save the day. One blustery evening when the snow piles up, the bespectacled garbage truck sneaks away to transform into Supertruck. In secret, he plows all the falling snow overnight but vanishes the next morning without a trace. The city dwellers and other four wheelers are all safe thanks to the powers of Supertruck. Savage creates an appealing hero that echoes another beloved character with a secret identity. Kids will chuckle at the truck's likeness to Clark Kent, and the minimal text will assist emerging readers in their own super abilities. Savage's distinct, graphic portrayal of the snowy metropolis sets the scene, while his use of perspective and color gradients allow readers to experience the blizzard firsthand. A superb addition to any library or storytime collection.-Claire Moore, Darien Library, CT (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. (c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
|
|||
