Not Just the Driver!

by Sara Holly Ackerman, Robert Neubecker (Illustrator)

Come along for the ride and meet the teams behind the machines that get us to our destinations in this rhyming picture book celebrating transportation teamwork and featuring vibrant art by award-winning illustrator Robert Neubecker!

Who makes buses rev and go, through detours, gridlock, storms, and snow? Who sends riders—CLICK, CLICK, CLACK—down the proper railroad track?

It’s not just drivers and pilots and conductors! It’s also mechanics and maintenance workers, loaders and air traffic controllers, ticket agents and dispatchers. Young readers will meet the people who work behind the scenes to keep us and our vehicles moving and explore a whole slew of fun— and essential —transportation professions!

Genres: Picture Books, Transport, Nonfiction, Childrens, Trains, Storytime, Cars

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

     This is such a brilliant, simple book highlighting not only what other jobs there are in transportation but also how important they are even though they are often behind the scenes. A lot of kids are interested in trucks, trains, and air planes but they might not know that they could have a career in any of those areas without being the driver. The diversity throughout the book is inspired and I love that some parents may have these jobs and appreciate not only being highlighted in a book but being able to share that book with their kids.The illustrations are simple yet detailed and the rhyming text will encourage even the most reluctant reader to learn more about this often invisible but important jobs. At a time when college tuition is so high and highly paid technical jobs like the ones in this book desperately needed, this book is a great way to stratify that transportation itch while also showing kids (and parents) there are more options in the job market than just the drivers.

[Kathryn LeRoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s more to transportation than meets the eye.

Children get a backseat view of transportation from cars to buses, trains, and boats through tap-footing rhymes, alliteration, and vivid illustrations. Each “who” question builds excitement for what the reader will discover in the next page turn. Like the vehicles, we keep moving with curiosity and wonder about all the people who support transportation. The author’s note gives parents and teachers ideas to extend a child’s imagination and creativity inviting readers to “take a look around.” It is a picture book that children will love hearing over and over as they see the power of how “teamwork helps the world to move.”

[Judy Sobanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read-aloud! Sara Holly Ackerman's rhyming text explores various modes of transporting both people and things. But the emphasis is on the crew of people necessary to keep those planes, trains and automobiles loaded, on the right route, track or flight plan, and mechanically safe and sound! Colorful, detailed illustrations by Robert Neubecker show busy bus terminals, truck warehouses, airports, subway stations and boat docks full of workers and passengers. A sure winner for kids and parents!

[Gabriele Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story! Fun, clever rhymes introduce young readers to the folks behind the scenes who keep our planes, trains, automobiles—and other vehicles—running smoothly, while engaging illustrations offer detailed insights into their various jobs. The “Who” questions that introduce each vehicle will keep young readers curious and engaged, and the repeating “It’s not just the…” lines will have them joining in the read aloud fun! A wonderful story highlighting the value of teamwork and the many ways in which we are connected.

[Roxanne Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

In rhyming text that's fun and engaging, It's Not Just the Driver! takes young readers on a journey of who makes up our transportation systems. What we see on the road, in the sky, on a boat, etc., is only part of what goes into our travel. From signal operators to warehouse personnel, young readers get a fun glimpse, with the opportunity to look closer at all the people it takes. This is a fun read for children and a reminder of how it takes everyone working together to make us move. 

[Stacy S. Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for kids who love vehicles
Not Just the Driver! shows a delightful behind the scenes look at who helps make all the transportation systems work from trucks to subways to trains to boats to planes. As the book says, teamwork helps the world to move! The fun, colorful illustrations pair perfectly with Sarah’s poetic, upbeat text. For the littles ones who love vehicles, vehicles, vehicles, this book is a perfect fit.

[Dana T]

This is a great book for kids who love vehicles. The people behind the scenes are often overlooked. It’s not only the drivers, mechanics, engineers, pilots that move the transportation industry, but many more people are involved. The fun, colorful illustrations pair perfectly with Sarah’s poetic, upbeat text. A wonderful overall message of the importance of teamwork, gives the book an extra layer of meaning.

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your little one is a big fan of things that go then they'll likely love this book! It showcases a lot of the workers not normally mentioned who help to keep everything running smoothly (warehouse loaders, subway signal maintainers, boat dispatchers, and more).

It is a little wordy, so though it could work with a really interested lower preschooler, in a storytime it would likely work best with upper preschoolers through elementary.

[Susan]

In jaunty rhymes, Sara Holly Ackerman celebrates the mechanics, signal maintainers, dispatchers, ticket agents, and others who keep transportation running smoothly. I especially liked her use of questions to keep young readers turning the pages and promote interactivity. Robert Neubecker’s whimsical illustrations are a great addition. Kids who can’t get enough of trucks, trains or plans will love this picture book!

[Mr. Lowton · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 Picture book. American author. American illustrator.
Who's responsible for vehicles we take? Not just the driver. This book, in delightful rhyme, shares that sometimes there are people working behind the scenes to make sure the vehicle gets us to our destination. In the end, a message about teamwork.

What I liked: I'm a sucker for rhyme! Also, lots of vehicles, sure to excite many young readers.

What I didn't like: Nothing really.

Overall, a great book!

[Tricia Torrible · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not just the driver! That's right, there are so many others, often working behind the scenes, that help us in the process of transportation. This book helps readers to appreciate all the hard work that goes into getting us from one place to the other. It is also written in fabulous rhythmic rhyme, making it a joy to read aloud. I definitely recommend it for the vehicle enthusiasts in your life.

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at the full team of people involved in making transportation of any type smooth and safe.

It was nice to find a book that highlights the unsung occupations integral to daily activities like train rides, driving on roads, flying on planes, etc. And the book is entirely told in a well done rhyme too. I can see this being a great addition to occupation units for littles, as well as a fan favorite for kids who love books about things that go.

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful book encourages us to consider all the people behind the scenes who keep our vehicles going. Ackerman's clever rhyming text is a joy to read aloud, and Neubecker's detailed illustrations perfectly match the fun and engaging story. Kids will enjoy poring over these pages as they imagine working as a signal maintainer, ticket agent, ferry dispatcher, and more!

[Buffy Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transportation fans will love learning about all the behind-the-scenes jobs involved in making their favorite vehicles run! It's not just the driver, trucker, operator, engineer, captain, or pilot! Brilliant rhyme and detailed illustrations make this one that young children will want to read over and over. Pair this book with Lisa Wheeler's SOMEONE BUILDS THE DREAM.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute concept - my son would've loved this when little as he was always curious about these sorts of things - I do wish they'd included the people on the ground who help direct the planes on the ground - it was what I anticipated with the planes. But otherwise, a good starting point at least of discussion about the things we don't see and the people involved "behind the scenes".

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will teach kids about all the (usually unseen) support people that make our lives GO! An author's note by Sarah Holly Ackerman encourages kids to look behind the people out front and see the how the world really works. With the delightful rhyming text and fabulous illustrations, this is a book your reader will want to hear and explore over and over again.

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is delightful! With fun bouncy rhymes that kids will want to hear again and again, this will become a favorite of transportation fans for sure. The illustrations are phenomenal - bright and busy scenes from above and below city streets and waterways, they're full of details that I could easily get lost in, the kind of book you want to jump right into! Highly recommend!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice deviation away from our usual "things that go" books. I appreciated that Ackerman took the time to highlight all of the brilliant humans behind the scenes that make things go and that it isn't just the person driving the plan, train, boat, and/or truck. This will provides a whole new perspective for younger readers.

[Christina Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fresh new twist on the books we love about trucks, trains, and cars. NOT JUST THE DRIVER is informative and upbeat, sharing all the behind the scenes workers that make our transportation systems run smoothly. The rhyme is brilliant and seamless and the illustrations are bright and busy! This is such a fun re-readable read aloud that kids will want to hear again and again.

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joyous romp in verse that explores many modes of transportation and the people who work together to keep things moving. Ackerman’s poetry and the wonderful, shifting refrain—"It’s not just the driver!/ It’s not just the pilot!”—provide readers with invaluable information about travel and transport. Neubecker’s vibrant, detailed illustrations are packed with fabulous fun.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read about all the people behind the scenes making the transit system turn and work. From bus mechanics, warehouse workers, forklift drivers, signal maintainers, ticket agents, dispatchers, to air traffic controllers, there are teams and teams of people making things move seamlessly.

This will be such a fun book for young transportation enthusiasts! The rhyme makes it more fun to read as well!

[Lisa Tolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who makes buses go, trains arrive and planes land? This clever, rhyming book heralds everyone involved in transportation (not just the driver!) and provides a deeper look into how these things work for all the transit-obsessed kids in your life. A fun read aloud!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of book my youngest son would have wanted to read again and again at bedtime. He's grown now, but he loved all kinds of modes of transportation. The rhyme is perfect, too, and the text flows at a good pace. Plus all the information a child can learn. It's a winner!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loved, loved, loved vehicles of all sorts when he was younger. He's now 13, but I still remember reading many books on trucks, trains, planes, etc.... He would have LOVED this book, with colorful, engaging illustrations and a fun rhyme. Highly recommend!!!

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

We always see the one out front, but who really keeps things going? This book shows the variety of people that help to keep vehicles (and the people and things they transport!) moving along smoothly. This will definitely spark interest in learning more about jobs people do.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Teamwork helps the world to move!" For kiddos who love to admire transportation - whether trains or cars or construction vehicles - this book is provides a great insider look at how these vehicles (and their drivers) work with a network of people making this work. A smart concept!

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, and I was tempted to give this 4 stars. However, many of the things she talked about apply to everything. The mechanics, for example, are needed for the planes and the boats and the trains as well as just the cars. Still, this was a fun read and a great idea for a book.

[Bridgitte Rodguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! A super creative take on the vehicles book. I loved learning about all the different people involved. The rhyme makes a fun read-aloud. The pictures are vibrant and colorful. Definitely will be a kids favorite for those into vehicle books!

[Michael Benner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely read, filled with a lively rhyming cadence and information about the people behind the machines that get us around. Kids (and especially those interested in machines) will request this again and again!

[Kelly]

This book was fantastic. The rhyming was fantastic (I realize it must be hard to fit "air traffic control" into a rhyming situation), the plot was interesting, and I think kids will love learning about jobs this way.