PUG IN A TRUCK

A friendly dog sees the world from the front seat of a tractor-trailer truck. Cute Pug, tongue always out, gets to ride in the semi driven by his friend. Sounds abound: the “Rumble-rumble” of the engine, “badadadada!” of the air brakes and Pug’s happy “Bow-wow.” They check out the city and its multi-colored buildings, and see a lot of different vehicles when they hit the open road. Pug even gets to talk on the CB radio. When it gets dark, “the headlights look like stars on the highway.” Pug eats outside while his friend fuels up in the truck-stop diner. They sleep at opposite ends of a comfy bed covered with a purple-and-green checked quilt, in preparation for another day on the road. With adult help, many young readers can successfully tackle Coffelt’s kid-friendly narrative. Her bright pictures, in oil pastels, offer attractive simple shapes and text spotlighted in color. A glossary wraps it up perfectly. (Picture book. 2-5)