DIGGER MAN

As his sandbox toy swells to full size, a young lad announces that he’s going to don a hard hat and “digger-man boots,” then move rocks and mud to create a “digger park” where he can play with his little brother. That’s only for starters, though, because “I will always have a lot of work to do with my digger.” Reflecting this budding construction worker’s enthusiasm, the yellow behemoth practically glows against background expanses of bright green grass and rich brown dirt in the simple illustrations. Truck and machinery fans will dig this—and the closing scene, in which the narrator is seen kindling a like enthusiasm in the next generation by sharing a book and toy with his toddler sib, may inspire young readers to go and do likewise. (Picture book. 5-7)