Cranky Makes a Friend: A Funny Picture Book About Big Trucks, Big Feelings, and Friendship for Kids (Ages 4-8)

Cranky #2

by Phúc Trần, Pete Oswald (illustrator)

"Tran’s “Cranky & Friends” ­series is perfect for readers [who love construction equipment like cranes, dump trucks, and cement trucks]." --School Library Journal

In this second picture book from the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and acclaimed picture book author Phuc Tran’s bestselling Cranky series, Cranky is feeling extra cranky when a new crane joins the crew.

There’s a new crane on the construction site! His name is Lefty and he's the opposite of Cranky—smiley, talkative, and a jokester. Everything Lefty does makes Cranky feel extra cranky. But everyone else seems to love him. What if Cranky's friends like Lefty more than him?

Find out how self-acceptance and a supportive crew help one cranky truck make a new friend in this humorous story about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships. With Phuc Tran’s hilarious text and Pete Oswald’s bold, expressive illustrations, this read is perfect for fans of Grumpy Monkey and construction vehicles.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Construction, Childrens, Fiction, Emotion, Trucks

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Jeffrey Endres · Rating 2 out of 5]

a couple good lines, the puns were excessive, Dump Chuck is the best name for a dump truck, also Jacques Hammer

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great companion to a smart first book. I love the energy, the illustrations, the long joke…

[Candice Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

🚧 𝐊𝐢𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 🚧

✨ 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 by Pete Oswald & Phuc Tran ✨


𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞: 4–8 years

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: Friendship, Self-Acceptance, Big Feelings, Teamwork

𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐞: Humorous | Heartwarming | Encouraging

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
Cranky, the construction truck, isn’t thrilled when a new crane named Lefty joins the crew. In fact, he’s downright cranky about him. Lefty is cheerful, chatty, and full of jokes, and everybody likes him. As Cranky worries about being replaced, he learns that differences can make friendships stronger and that being yourself is enough.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭:
* Tackles jealousy and insecurity in a relatable way
* Promotes empathy and builds emotions
* Perfect for construction fans
* Vibrant illustrations of big trucks and big feelings

𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫:
* Family read-alouds
* Social-emotional learning
* Kids who love trucks and stories about friendship

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
* “Why do you think Cranky felt left out?”
* “How can we make new friends feel welcome?”

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭:
This story is a fun, heartfelt reminder that friendships grow when we embrace differences. A great pick for helping kids manage big emotions, share with trusted friends, and build confidence.

Big thanks to @libby.app and @harperkids for making this audiobook accessible. Check your local library for a copy!

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🏷 #CrankyMeetsANewFriend #PhucTran #PeteOswald #HarperKids #CrankySeries #PictureBooks #CandiceReads #CandiceReviews #HaleYeahBooks #bookstagram #bookreview #wellreadblackgirl

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I'm sure most little boys would love this book, however I'm a grown woman and think it's just okay. I liked the overall idea, lesson, and illustrations. I didn't really appreciate the adjusted "swear words" and exclamations. They aren't the same, but kinda close enough. Not sure if kids would pick up on them, but I did. I'd allow this as a "read at the library book" and maybe check it out if a kid really wanted to. But I honestly wouldn't want to read it more than once to a child.

[Audrey | WellReadandUndead(ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oooooh, I’m so like Cranky. I think a lot of us can see ourselves in Cranky, especially when we were younger. It’s hard to be proud and confident in yourself when someone new, bubbly, and funny joins a group. It’s a great message to children that not only should you love you for who you are, but your true friends will too!

[J.P. Sirro · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

A charming story with colorful illustrations and a solid message about making friends and opening up to others. While I appreciated the overall lesson, I felt it wasn’t as clear or direct for a younger audience as it could have been. Some of the points might go over a kid’s head without a little extra explanation. Still, a fun and worthwhile read!

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the library. I picked it because he could use some help learning how to make friends and is often hesitant to welcome to people like Cranky is. He loved the trucks and their silly jokes and the other puns. He seemed happy that they were friends at the end and wanted to request the other book in the series.

[JF · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a stinker. I would avoid.

"Cranky" has a cranky personality. I have issue saying some "is" how they are acting

Cranky has a foul mouth and found myself skipping over some of his phrases (or modifying them on the sly)

But the kids didnt like it. Wasnt worth the read

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cranky truck feels bad about not being as fun as the new guy. Lots of work humor. A good story time read.

[Y.Poston]

cute exploration of jealousy

[ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

not my fav storytime book but oh my god do i know how cranky feels lol

[Deja Roden · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny. It’s about friendship and emotions. It’s an audiobook!

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and cute. 3 year old liked it too

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about big trucks, big feelings and friendship. This one didn’t work for me as well. Cute pictures, but it felt heavy on the text and not as funny as I had hoped. Maybe if your reader was really into big trucks, this would be a hit.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new crane has joined the Sandbox Hills construction crew, giving Cranky another reason to act cranky. Not only is Lefty obnoxiously upbeat, it feels like he’s stealing Cranky’s thunder… and his friends. Is there any way to fix this situation?

Trần’s second entry in his Cranky series is sure to delight fans of the original, but stands well on its own. Children will relate to its simple storyline about jealousy and insecurity in friendships, while learning basic social-emotional coping skills (e.g. sitting alone for a few minutes, talking about the problem, etc.). Adults, meanwhile, will pick up on the many puns Trần weaves in throughout the book. Primary-toned digital art in a variety of page layouts draws the eye, as does the subject matter; trucks, after all, remain wheely popular with the preschool age set.

Recommended for purchase for ages 3-8.


Thanks to HarperCollins for the copy via the Southeast Ohio Young Adult Media Group.