Trucker and Train

by Hannah Stark, Bob Kolar (Illustrator)

Overview

Kindness and friendship triumph over bullying in this action-packed story that’s perfect for fans of Little Blue Truck and Loren Long’s Otis stories, and for every vehicle-obsessed little one. 

Trucker, the big rig, loves to rule the road with his size, strength, and mighty horn. The other vehicles swerve and shake as Trucker blasts past, expecting them to follow along in awe. Then Trucker meets the louder, stronger, and kinder Train. He sees how the other vehicles gleam and swoon when Train is around. And he wonders, Why don’t they ever gleam at me?

Trucker just wants Train to go away . . . until a broken railroad crossing signal changes everything. Can Trucker use his size and strength for the good of his fellow vehicles before it’s too late?

Perfect for fans of Little Blue Truck and Loren Long’s Otis stories, Trucker and Train is a classic in the making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544801813
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	08/06/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	409,454
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Hannah Stark is a writer and public-school teacher in Brooklyn, New York. She loves to make and share resources for other teachers, as well as teach at the graduate level. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she can be found taking road trips and train rides with her two sons. Visit her online at hannahcarinastark.com and on Twitter @teachingrightalong.

Bob Kolar has illustrated many picture books, including The Little Fire Truck by Margery Cuyler and Hey-Ho, to Mars We’ll Go! by Susan Lendroth. He creates toys, games, TV shows, and other fun things for kids. He
lives in Missouri with his wife, Lisa. Visit him online at bobkolarbooks.com and on Instagram @bobkolar.

Editorial Reviews

07/22/2019

Trucker is used to being “bigger and stronger and tougher than anyone else on the road”; in his wake, the other vehicles “swayed and gasped... rattled and gulped.” But one day outside the city, Train comes through with an impressive whistle that leaves everyone awestruck. Feeling “smaller than he ever had before,” Trucker is relieved to see Train head into a station. But when he spies a broken-off gate at a nearby junction, he immediately rushes to block the intersection, causing the other vehicles to beep with annoyance—until Train barrels past and they realize the meaning of Trucker’s gesture. With frequent onomatopoeia, debut author Stark handles Trucker’s complex emotions with gentle sympathy. Kolar’s digital illustrations are similarly soft, with pale backdrops, undulating hills, curving roads, and vehicles made relatable with smiling faces. You don’t have to rule the road to be a hero, Stark and Kolar suggest, and that’s probably for the best. Ages 4–7. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Grab your CB radios and hold onto your whistle. In this battle of truck vs. train, the true winners are the readers."—Kirkus "With frequent onomatopoeia, debut author Stark handles Trucker’s complex emotions with gentle sympathy....You don’t have to rule the road to be a hero, Stark and Kolar suggest, and that’s probably for the best."—Publishers Weekly "The relationship between the trucker and other vehicles illustrates the complex dynamic of jealousy, admiration, and friendship among peers. A wonderful and fun addition to any library collection."—School Library Journal —

From the Publisher

08/01/2019

PreS-Gr 2—Trucker is a big rig who loves the sound of his engine, the size of his tires, and most of all, his mighty horn. He loves to blast it as he rushes by other vehicles. Trucker is surprised and frustrated when all of the vehicles stop and admire a passing train. Vehicles in this story are brought to life with faces that change expression throughout the narrative. This book utilizes white space to focus readers' attention on the happenings of a narrow and busy street. The urban setting is captured with the addition of box shaped buildings, windows, and structures in a variety of muted and dull colors. Lines are often used to illustrate movement, light, and sound. The onomatopoeic words appear in colorful bold font. This aspect of the book makes vehicle sounds a key focal point while reading the book. Children will love imitating the various vehicle sounds present in this narrative. VERDICT The relationship between the trucker and other vehicles illustrates the complex dynamic of jealousy, admiration, and friendship among peers. A wonderful and fun addition to any library collection.—Deanna Smith, Pender County Public Library, NC

School Library Journal

2019-05-12
A semi experiences a dark night of the soul when he discovers he's second rate.

Imbued with a mighty engine, massive tires, and a healthy sense of his own superiority, Trucker rules the road. But the 10-wheeled narcissist experiences a swift kick to the gut the day he catches a glimpse of Train. Painfully aware of his relative inadequacy, the truck is taken down a further notch when he discovers that all traffic stops for trains. Not trucks. Fortunately ego takes a back seat to heroism when Trucker observes a broken gate at the next train junction and risks unpopularity to save his fellow road warriors. Judging by the title, readers would be forgiven for thinking this a buddy book, but Train remains utterly unaware of Trucker's very existence throughout, even while his presence eclipses Trucker's very sense of self. The lesson to be learned here is one of grounded self-esteem; while it's familiar, its expression feels fresh. Kolar's digital art will feed directly into any young vehicular enthusiast's yearning for cars and trucks and things that go.

Grab your CB radios and hold onto your whistle. In this battle of truck vs. train, the true winners are the readers. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews