A simple story to allay children’s fears about riding the school bus.
A chipper brown bear named Dee and her yellow school bus—the aptly named Trusty—take their jobs seriously.
After all, the lives of many little ones rest in their steady hands, er, wheels. After a safety check, Trusty moves slowly through the streets, making multiple stops to pick up a pigtailed frog, an overall-clad pig, and other anthropomorphic young animals. Bighearted Trusty couldn’t be more patient; he cheerfully waits for passengers who are running a bit late or who need one more hug from a caregiver. Trusty also halts so a family of ducks can cross the street safely, but everyone still makes it to school on time. All that work’s gotten Trusty a bit dusty, so Dee gives him a wash, fills him with gas, and adds air to his tires. Trusty’s dependability and kindness don’t go unnoticed; the passengers have a surprise for him when he arrives to take them home. The exuberant, onomatopoeia-laden text makes for a satisfying read-aloud, although there are a few clunky rhyming lines. Alternating between full-page illustrations and spot artwork for variety, the digital artwork brings Trusty to life, carefully portraying his expressive, watchful black eyes and handsome yellow body and making evident his concern for his passengers—this is one bus readers can count on.
A simple story to allay children’s fears about riding the school bus. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9781665948494
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one’s dreams come true.
Dedication and determination are everything.
Gabriel, an old elephant who lives by the sea, reminisces about visiting a lifeboat as a youngster. He loved watching the crew ready it to rescue sailors and enjoyed listening to them sing sea shanties. He longed to be so brave! When Gabriel asked to join them, they told him to return when he was older and stronger. Gabriel read about storms and sea rescues and practiced rowing. He grew older, stronger, and BIGGER. By the time he returned to the crew, Gabriel had unfortunately grown too large to fit into the boat. More intent than ever, Gabriel constructed his own vessel, singing mightily. Meanwhile, the fishing fleet set out, then ran into big trouble when a strong gale hit. The regular lifeboat team couldn’t help. Guess who rescued the sailors safely with his own powerful vessel? In the end, everyone decided to build a larger craft to accommodate everyone. By turns thrilling and warmly reassuring, this story demonstrates that resolve—and inclusion—wins out; readers will cheer for Gabriel all the way. Sailing through the narrative are vigorous shanties readers might well join in on. Fitting his animal cast out in thick sweaters and raincoats, Vere brings the Cornish setting to life beautifully. Gabriel cuts an endearing figure in the lively illustrations, rendered in a limited palette of soft oranges, grays, and blues.
A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one’s dreams come true. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9780525580904
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Doubleday
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
Only for kids who really, really want to look at pictures of tractors.
A purple tractor discovers his purpose.
“Deep in farm country…Purple Tractor had a comfortable home and loving parents, but he was unhappy.” The other tractors—orange, red, and blue—make fun of him because of his inability to perform farm-related chores. He finds comfort talking with Brown Truck, who’s lived on the farm longer than any other vehicle and tells stories about the old days. Brown Truck has the perfect job for Purple Tractor: working on a construction site. Purple Tractor heads to a construction site with Brown Truck and enjoys the work. His fellow farm tractors start to feel threatened by his new sense of self, but once he saves the day after a severe weather event, he eventually finds his place in both worlds. Exhaustingly long blocks of text are paired with static illustrations of pastoral and urban scenes. While heavy machinery is often an automatic hit with young children, this one will have a hard time finding an appreciative audience. The story is wordy, with a leaden sentimentality that comes from painstakingly explaining what lessons readers should be taking away. The heroism in this Little Heroes, Big Hearts series leaves a lot to be desired.
Only for kids who really, really want to look at pictures of tractors. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728278315
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
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