Crane Jane!

by Andrea Zimmerman, Dan Yaccarino (Illustrator)

Overview

Can a crane operator save the day? Yes, she can! From the best-selling author and illustrator team of Trashy Town, comes a Big Jobs, Bold Women board book perfect for toddlers who love big machines.

Hook it, lift it, off the ground
Easy, careful, swing it ‘round.
Clunk!
Phew! Good job.

Crane Jane punches the clock at the dock, then climbs into her tall, tall crane. She’s ready for a day of lifting cargo from ships to dry land. Then comes Jane’s biggest challenge of all—a firetruck! But when high winds send her load swinging, Jane uses all her skill to keep the crane under control. Toddlers will love the clang-clang! of the crane and toot-toot! of the ships!

This second board book in the Big Jobs, Bold Women series introduces toddlers to strong women in tough hands-on jobs. Crane Jane! makes this empowering message accessible in a new durable format that is the perfect size for an energetic toddler.

With dynamic artwork from Dan Yaccarino, Nickelodeon character designer for The Backyardigans, and energetic verse from Andrea Zimmerman, best-selling author of Trashy Town, Crane Jane! is the perfect read for truck and construction-obsessed toddlers.

Don’t miss out on Firefighter Flo! board book too!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780823460458
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Series:	Big Jobs, Bold Women
Pages:	26
Product dimensions:	4.76(w) x 6.03(h) x 0.45(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 3 Years

About the Author

ANDREA ZIMMERMAN is the author of many beloved series including Trashy Town and Smashy Town, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino; the bestselling truck series Bulldozer Friends, Digger Man, Fire Engine Man, and Train Man; All Buckled Up and All Dressed Up (S&S/Little Simon); and Dig! illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. Andrea grew up in Ohio, Utah, New York, and California. She enjoys gardening, going for walks, and visiting museums.

DAN YACCARINO is an author-illustrator who been named to the Texas Bluebonnet list for The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, Kirkus' Best Children's Book List for All the Way To America, The New York Times 10 Best Illustrated List and the Bologna Ragazzi for Every Friday. His picture book I Am a Story is a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2016. He's also the creator and producer of several animated series based on his books, Doug Unplugs (AppleTV), Oswald (Nickelodeon), Willa's Wild Life (NBC and Qubo), as well as the character designer behind The Backyardigans (Nickelodeon).

Editorial Reviews

"With its inspiring female main character, brush with danger, shout-worthy onomatopoeia, and peaceful bedtime conclusion, the story will likely resonate through many repeat readings."—The Horn Book

"It’s great that kids see a woman, especially a woman of color, carry out her job so skillfully and effortlessly in a predominantly male-dominated profession. . . . When it comes to doing heavy lifting, you can count on this tale."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2023-04-24
Let’s hear it for Crane Jane!

While listening to this book, the second in the Big Jobs, Bold Women series, following Firefighter Flo! (2022), readers will hear cacophonous noises in Jane’s wake given all the rhythmic, onomatopoeic sounds accompanying her efforts as a crane operator at the dock. Jaunty, terse rhymed couplets describe Jane’s hectic, exciting workday as she expertly maneuvers her crane to lift, move, and set down heavy cargo—freight containers and trucks—on and off ships. What a joyful din (“TROMP! TROMP!” "CLANG-CLANG!” “WHOOSH! WHOOSH!”) her job produces. The sound words generally appear in pairs or trios and are usually set in yellow boldfaced capitals so they stand out, and construction-site and vehicle mavens will be eager to simulate them. Children will be especially intrigued by a scene in which a firetruck, lifted from a ship and caught in a heavy wind, dangles precariously from the crane and is improbably saved by a flock of helpful gulls. The digital illustrations feature bold, eye-popping colors and lots of detailed activity. It’s great that kids see a woman, especially a woman of color, carry out her job so skillfully and effortlessly in a predominantly male-dominated profession. Jane has light brown skin and dark braids beneath her pale-green hard hat. Her co-workers and crew are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

When it comes to doing heavy lifting, you can count on this tale. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews