Rough, Tough Wheels

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

This welcome addition to the Mighty Wheels Series has the same format as
Load ’Em Up Trucks (1999) and Hard-Working Wheels (2000), with a
similar emphasis on read-aloud value.

Each truck is featured in a double-page spread, shown in action
carrying out its function. The large images, illustrated in bold,
primary colors that appear to shine, are guaranteed to attract
children’s attention. People in the pictures are rendered
simplistically so as not to detract from the trucks.

The text is on a par with the excellent illustrations. A short, one- or
two-line caption describes—in terms preschoolers can easily
understand—the nature of the truck’s job. Careful thought has been
given to the captions with a view to summarizing the look, sound, smell,
and feel of the vehicles that is very appealing. The text is replete
with words that roll off the tongue and encourage variation in tone and
volume. Highly recommended.