Trucks

by Byron Barton

The tow trucks, cement trucks, and newspaper delivery trucks pictured here all help people and will fascinate small children. This very simple picture book about transportation 'will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers.' -- K.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Trucks, Transport, Nonfiction

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Byron Barton is the author and illustrator of many picture books for young children. He has been honored by ALA, SLJ, and Reading Rainbow. He worked as an animator for CBS before he started creating children's books. He is currently making his illustrations completely on the computer.

Reviews

[Ronan Crutchfield]

Who knew there were so many kinds of trucks! I was fascinated

[Brandon H · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot arc left lots to be desired. Limited character development. Illustrations were top notch

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trucks. They work hard. Love it.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: On the road here come the trucks. They come through tunnels. They go over the bridge.

Premise/plot: Trucks are useful, always working. This is a simple introduction to the working class of trucks. The intended audience is preschoolers or toddlers.

My thoughts: I like this one. The text is super simple. It is not text heavy. As a read aloud it flows well. The illustrations are bold and colorful. I'd recommend this to parents with truck-obsessed little ones. I do think that it could transition to an easy to read on their own book.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for toddlers who love trucks. With bright and bold illustrations and a simple informative text, little ones are introduced to a variety of hard working vehicles. This is a classic board book that should be added to preschool units on vehicles and community helpers.

[Samantha Davis-durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son LOVES this book

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

dated, but solid truck book for toddlers. but seriously, oil trucks delivering oil to houses?

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

lily summer reading 2018, trucks,

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talks about various types of trucks and what they are used for. The illustrations are great and it is sure to please lovers of trucks and other things that go.

[Joy Keil · Rating 3 out of 5]

1.5yo just loves trucks!

[Mort's Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Biden administration, every week is infrastructure week

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This board book introduces young readers to the vehicle trucks.

[Brooklyn Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3 year old loves it

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming. I have read this book dozens of times to my grandchildren, I never get tired of it.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inoffensive minimalism.

[Charleston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charleston said "truck" on every page. I don't think he realized the name of the book was... trucks.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Turkeybird Speaks: "Now this is the part where I tell you to pull up a chair and your favorite snack so you can settle into a great book. Does it really get any better than trucks, planes, and trains? I would say not! They move, they have wheels, they go fast and they do all sorts of fun things. I especially liked reading my plane book when we traveled cross country to our new home. It was neat to look out the window and see the same sky that I was looking at in my book. These books are a must have for every home. Go get them!"

Mom's Two Cents: "I have to agree with The Turkeybird and the publishers summary. We initially purchased the Trucks book when he was very little and it instantly became a favorite. Now that he is quite a bit older (at least two years have passed) he still picks them out of our full bookshelf. As he mentioned, we traveled by plane this last summer to move from the DC area to California and the Planes book was a huge hit! There are images of people getting on and off planes in the book and because of the small airport we initially left from, we were able to get aboard the plane just as they did in the book, which he loved! And though you would think these books wouldn't appeal to girls, even The Littlebug picked the Plane book out yesterday as her book of choice.

"Now, onto the technical side of the book. What I, as a parent, really like about these books are the simple text and straight forward images. It's not going to be the most beautiful book on your shelf, nor will the words be drawn out and elaborate, but it still holds an entertainment and educational value I can't deny. Each page has between 3 to 5 words with a simple illustration demonstrating the text. For smaller kids it can often times be overwhelming to have a book filled with words and dramatic images, but these books though not elegant are still captivating. I highly recommend these books for beginning readers and even for older children who may need a respite between larger, more complicated books."

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were gifted Boats and my 2 year old son enjoys the illustrations for sure, and we read it often, but boats aren't really his thing. For the past few months, he's been insanely interested in trucks, cars, tractors, trailers, and to a lesser extent trains and construction vehicles as well. I mean, he can't even tell people how old he is, but he can tell the difference between a jeep and a pick up truck and knows that a hitch carries a trailer (and knows all types of trailers). He can also navigate his way around town even better than I can, so I'm relying on his insane sense of direction to get us out of trouble in the future.

I enjoy Boats by Barton, so I thought I'd purchase Trucks. Best decision ever. We've had it less than 24 hours and we've read it 12 times... we'd have read it more if he'd had his way. This satisfies his truck obsession and the colorful, yet simple illustrations are so pleasing to the eye that I don't mind reading it on repeat. This is an oldie, but a goodie! We have also purchased Trains and I'm looking forward to that one being a hit as well.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Sean knew his friend Connor wouldn't be at the last BookCrossing meeting, he still wanted to attend. While there he picked up a copy of Trucks written and illustrated by Byron Barton.

Sean has a number of Barton's books. So far we have: Trucks, Trains, and Jump Frog Jump! He likes his distinct style of strong lines, bold colors and simple shapes. He also likes that the stories are easy for him to read so that we can read them together. I like that the illustrations, while straightforward are still interesting to look at.

Sean likes to stop at each page to discuss the illustrations. What colors were used? What else is happening in the scene? And so forth.

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a straightforward educational board book presenting different types of trucks and their activities, rendered in chunky concept-drawings, with minimal text. Most little boys go through a stage of being fascinated with trucks, and this was one of the first books I have used to introduce the different functions and shapes that trucks can take. Kids will outgrow it quickly, though, since it lacks detail for them to grow into; if you can only get one book about vehicles, get Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things that Go. But if you're looking for a fresh temporary read for your truck-fascinated toddler, do pick this up at the library.

[Nikki Boisture · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate this book. I hate that Grady loves it, and I have to read it. I hate that at 18 months, Grady could differentiate between a garbage truck, delivery truck, moving truck, ice cream truck, pickup truck and dump truck, thanks to this book. I had no interest in trucks, and now I kind of hate all trucks.

It gets two stars only because Grady likes it so much. If Grady was only "eh" about it, I'd give it zero!

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little board book that kept my two-year-old entertained for quite a while on a recent road trip. He finds the simple, bright illustrations very appealing and will "read" this to himself for quite a while (which is good, because I don't find it equally appealing to read aloud to him). Interestingly, he calls this "the hot dog book" because there is one single hot dog served from a food truck midway through the book.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a plot than My First Truck Board Book—but not much more of one. Also, Dave Chappelle fans will appreciate that the road work is being done on Third Street. ("You better be careful...")

[jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of William's early favorites (3 months). I'm sure it is just the bold colors he is reacting to, but he loves this book. I think its great, too, because of the large range of trucks presented. I never would have though of the ice cream truck or even the tow truck since I usually picture big construction trucks. Simple story line and just the right amount of text for earliest readers.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're only read this one in the store and Stig loved it. He's obsessed with Trucks and points and says "Truck". The library didn't have this available (I think it's the most popular one) - one day we'll pick up a copy for ourselves cause I think it's a favorite.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still not sure what the attraction of Byron Barton is, but like Planes, Trucks is a big, big hit at home. At first glance, I thought it might be too simplistic for an almost 2-year-old, but he absolutely loves it and mandates that it be read at least 6 times before bed each night.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another truck book that is read over and over again in our home. My three year old especially enjoys "reading" this book to his baby brother. Barton hit homeruns with both My Car and Trucks. Hooray! Simple but fun.

[Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

For kindergarten children, I would use this book in the classroom to describe to children the differnt jobs that trucks perform. The book explains how trucks pick up our garbage, transport things on the roads, carry heavy materials, etc.

[Shelleyburns]

Board picture book. Ages 2 - 5. Simple book with colorful pictures that show various types of trucks and how they help people. I would use this book as a read aloud and discuss the types of trucks the children have seen in their community and what those trucks do to help people.

[Corey Hiegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written! I couldn't put this book down! Barton is a modern day Hemingway. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that will challenge your identity and your existence as a human being.