Drive

by Nathan Clement

A little boy reveres his truck-driving dad. A little boy tells the story of what his dad does in his long day of driving a truck. Startlingly vivid graphic images of a big rig rendered in vibrant colors and compelling compositions make life on the road seem exotic and beautiful even as they bring the father and son together at the end of the day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Trucks, Transport, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truck driving from behind the wheel - innovative art!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandson loved this book since his Dad is now a truck driver. He couldn't get enough of this story.

[Malissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my nephew for his 3rd birthday because he *loves* trucks of all kinds. The story is simple, but that's what I wanted because Matthew's attention span is fairly short. The illustrations are amazing, and I really think it's perfect for those little boys who love their big trucks.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boys who love trucks may like this book. I like the illustrations because I like the style but I am not sure the text and illustrations work together all that well. This is for that specific Truck loving young audience. Ages 2+

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

ehh. The illustrations were bright but impersonal.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son is completely and utterly transportation-obsessed. I knew he would love this truck book. If I was rating it it would receive only 3 stars, but he'd probably give it 5, so 4 splits the difference.
The illustrations are computer-generated graphic design, often from unusual angles. I actually like the illustrations, and my son does, too, although I don't think they would appeal to all children. I find the text a little blah, but it makes for a quick bedtime story.
My husband drives a red truck (although it's just a pick-up, not a semi) and my son says "Daddy! Daddy!" on every page of this book. It's very cute. This has been his most-requested library book for the past couple of weeks.

[Alexander The Triumphant · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book his daddy leaves before he wakes up. His daddy drives to work. When his trailer is full, he's ready to drive. His daddy stays busy and watches out for others. He's on the move, but always says hello. When traffic is slow, his daddy stops and grabs a bite. His daddy's on time because there is more work to do. He fills up and drives all the way home. I liked this book because there's trucks. -by Alexander

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This colorful board book follows the day of a dad and his big rig. Dad's job takes him many places. Dad is always a courteous and careful driver, paying attention to he conditions. the little boy narrator has a reason to be proud of him. He is also happy when Dad comes home to him. This more personal than some of the other "career" books and would be a good conversation starter on several levels.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was incredibly simple and easy for even my two-year-old to understand: a Daddy goes to work and drives his truck. We enjoyed reading the story together.

I did not like the illustrations as much. They are zoomed in to far so objects are harder for my son to recognize, and I didn't enjoy the digital style, although they are well done.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coale personally picked this book off the shelf himself. He finds the artwork within to be 'cool' with every turn of the page. My son loves everything that has cars or semis. This book definitely gets a 'wow' from Coale. =)

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

My brother is a truck driver, and he drives a Red truck! I love this book, I am going to buy it for him. His Daughter is a teenager, but this book is still cute! We can't wait for daddy to come home!

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short prose about what it's like to be a truck driver from a child's point of view. Might be a good story time book for toddlers/young toddlers.

[Mister David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toddler. Few words, large font. Daddy is a truck driver who always does the right thing and comes home to family in the country.

[Wenting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Library: Begin with Books - Things That Go

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I disliked the illustrations and the minimal nature of the story.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drive by Nathan Clement has a little boy telling what his dad does during a day of driving a big rig truck.

Dad leaves for work early, where his trailer is filled with cargo, then he drives away, watching traffic and sounding his horn. When traffic is slow, he stops to eat at a diner. He gets another load, fills his diesel tank, then drives home in time to play catch with his son.

The text features a large font, simple words. The story is told in about fifty words.

The illustration are realistic but a bit stylized. The Dad's face is never fully shown, just parts of it. Many different perspectives are used. Little details are interesting, such as the model toy truck that looks like Dad's. The long distance view of several illustrations makes the story seem less personal and immediate than it could be.

Young truck fans will probably like this, and it's appropriate for toddler or preschool story times.

For ages 2 to 6, trucks, transportation, father and son themes, truck fans, and fans of Nathan Clement.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books featuring vehicles of any kind are always popular in my library, and some kids prefer big trucks over cars and motorcycles. This board book takes readers through a day as a truck driver leaves home and hits the road. The driver's child narrates the story, talking about Daddy driving carefully, stopping for lunch, and finally coming back home.

There are only a few words for each double-spread illustration and the pictures themselves have just enough detail to keep them interesting without being overly fussy. This is a book that shows a parent leaving for work, but returning home in the evening - a topic that fascinates preschoolers who are still trying to make sense of daily routines and object permanence.

Great for truck enthusiasts and kids whose parents drive for a living, whether it is a big rig, a UPS or FedEx van, etc.

I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have had a lot of potential. But it's been done by a graphic artist who doesn't seem to have much grasp of what a KID might like in a kids book. We never see Dad the truck driver's face, and often he is hidden from view or shown in odd partial angles. Even the scene of him gassing up the truck is done in a way that won't pull kids in. The cover will attract kids and truck loving boys will want this one. But few of them will take it to their hearts for more than one reading.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of a picture book than a storybook. Very basic few words per page that a beginning reader could learn to read on their own. Told from a child's view talking about their Dad being a truck driver. My special needs teenage son loved looking at the illustrations even though there wasn't much to the story. So if you have a truck-vehicle loving child they will like this book simply for the illustrations.

[Amy (Bossy Bookworm) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was done by a graphic designer and is slick like that. Henry loves the illustrations, though. And at the end the truck-driver father comes home to play with his son, and Henry says, "Just nike Daddy..." which is sweet enough to keep me renewing it from the library.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is nice, with a boy paying homage to the hard work his father does, but I'm just not a fan of the computer graphic type illustrations (personal preference only, they are very well done). The author is local, living in Indianapolis.

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truck-obsessed kids will enjoy this book. The text is tight, and the illustrations are realistic. This wasn't my personal favorite because I don't much care about trucks, but if my child were really into trucks this would be a good choice.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple story of what a truck driver does during the day, told from the perspective of his child. I feel like the art is unfinished. It either need more detail or more stylization. But for kids of truckers or who like trucks, there's probably something here.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boys will love this one because they love truck books, but in my opinion it was just ok.

[Amy]

This looks like a book Abby and Jessica both need!

[Chili Public · Rating 2 out of 5]

ehh. The illustrations were bright but impersonal.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun series-of-events book about reality, good illustrations. D just wasn't too 'into' it, surprisingly.

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple story of a dad who drives a truck. Kind of goes over all the things he goes through in a day.

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 23-mo-old son really likes this. I think it's kind of pointless, but probably any little boy who loves cars and trucks would enjoy this. The pictures look like really bad computer animation.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

For those who love trucks, an interesting peek into the lives of a truckdriver.