MILES TO GO

This book proves that good things come in small packages. The opening line, “Another day, another drive,” sends readers zooming off to preschool with the high-spirited Miles, feet propelling his convertible down the sidewalk Flintstones-style. Along the way, he gases up, clickety-clunks his flag along the fence, mails letters and cleans his car in a puddle. Upon reaching preschool, his car joins the many others belonging to his classmates. After school, Miles and Otto work on Miles’s broken horn in their “shop” and take their rides out for a spin. Parents will be pleased with the safety checks subtly built in—seatbelts, waiting for a light to change and Mom pushing the car across the street. The rosy-cheeked Miles marvelously embodies the exuberance, imagination and passions of a preschool boy. The block-print, watercolor, ink and cut-paper illustrations create a feast of colors and textures without being overbusy. The endpapers feature a simple map of Miles’s route to school. More than one imagination is certain to receive a kickstart thanks to this energetic young boy. Here’s hoping there are more roadtrips in his future. (Picture book. 3-6)