I'M COOL!

Adding to their list of many vehicular tributes, the McMullans take on an often overlooked large machine—the Zamboni.

Full of bravado and swagger, the Zamboni zooms out after the hockey game’s first period ready to smooth the ice. However, it has to compete with a big-talking announcer, who starts shouting on the title-page spread. “WHOA! / HE’S DOWN! / HE’S DOWN! / …. / Nobody can skate / on ice this rough.” Not to worry. The Zamboni is here. The announcer continues to egg it on: “Zamboni machine, ya / move like a turtle. / Look—the clock’s ticking! / Hit the gas! Finish up / so we can get back to the game!” A Zamboni’s job can’t be rushed. It needs to thoroughly check the ice before deciding how much to shave and then: SHAZAMBONI! The ice is clean again. The Zamboni explains all of its resurfacing components: the augers, the blade, the wash water, the vacuum, and more. But it’s a race against the clock. The Zamboni only has 18 minutes to do the job. Luckily, it keeps its cool. Staccato, clipped quickness and plenty of onomatopoeia—“VZZZZZZZZZZT”—make this a read-aloud success.

Who knew ice could be this much fun? (Picture book. 4-8)