Time for School, Little Blue Truck
Published by Clarion Books
Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad are excited to meet a bright yellow school bus on the road. They see all the little animals lined up in the school bus's many windows, and Blue wishes he could be a school bus too. What a fun job—but much too big for a little pickup like Blue. Or is it? When somebody misses the bus, it's up to Blue to get his friend to school on time. Beep! Beep! Vroom!
Also enjoy Blue's bedtime ride in Good Night, Little Blue Truck and his trip to the city in Little Blue Truck Leads the Way.
Reviews
A #1 New York Times Bestseller!
Captivated by the sight of a big yellow school bus, Little Blue Truck immediately wishes he had the important job of carrying pupils (an assortment of young farm animals) to school each day. But as the friendly bus points out to him, she has lots of seats, windows, and space for passengers. Driving a little farther, the little truck sees a piglet in tears after missing the bus. "Beep! Beep! Don't cry, / Said little Blue / Climb in. Let's see / What I can do." After a bumpy shortcut through the woods and across the stream, they arrive at school just before the bus. And everyone cheers, "Good job, Blue!"
Written in bouncy couplets that read aloud well, the simple story creates a bit of tension, which will make the school bus' final acknowledgment of Blue's achievement all the more satisfying for young children. The illustrations, created with rounded forms and rich colors, reflect the story's cheerful tone. The latest volume in a popular series, this picture book will brighten any back-to-school display.
— Booklist
Little Blue Truck learns that he can be as important as the big yellow school bus.
Little Blue Truck is driving along the country road early one morning when he and driver friend Toad come across a big, yellow, shiny school bus. The school bus is friendly, and so are her animal passengers, but when Little Blue Truck wishes aloud he could do an important job like hers, the school bus says only a bus of her size and features can do this job. Little Blue Truck continues along, a bit envious, and finds Piggy crying by the side of the road, having missed the bus. Little Blue tells Piggy to climb in and takes a creative path to the school—one the bus couldn't navigate—and with an adventurous spirit, gets Piggy there right on time. The simple, rhyming text opens the story with a sweet, fresh, old-fashioned tone and continues with effortlessly rhythmical lines throughout. Little Blue is a brave, helpful, and hopeful character young readers will root for. Adults will feel a rush of nostalgia and delight in sharing this story with children as the animated vehicles and animals in innocent, colorful countryside scenes evoke wholesome character traits and values of growth, grit, and self-acceptance.
A terrific choice for the preschool crowd.
— Kirkus
NOW AVAILABLE: Little Blue Truck Soft Toy! Buy this book. See inside.
© 2021 Jill McElmurry Estate