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Big Rig
Meet the big rig of this story Frankie, a semi-truck with eighteen ready-to-roll tires and a big job to do! Bright illustrations, a truck with a colorful personality, truck lingo and sounds that put the reader in the drivers seat, and a truck-tionary that explains unfamiliar words, all combine in an exciting and edgy readalong that will delight youngsters.
Hardcover
First published February 4, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 13, 2014
My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library this week.
Meh. There is not much of a story and the text still manages to sound awkward. The illustrations are OK, but border on creepy. I would have given this book two stars, but my son liked the sound effects.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars, but I round up.
Meh. There is not much of a story and the text still manages to sound awkward. The illustrations are OK, but border on creepy. I would have given this book two stars, but my son liked the sound effects.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars, but I round up.
October 11, 2017
My three-year-old seems to enjoy this book, written in the voice of a big rig, including truck driver lingo. The truck picks up its load, experiences a blow-out, gets repaired, and continues its trek. The driver’s destination is a pleasant surprise at the end. The lively illustrations make this a sweet choice for any child who enjoys the Cars movies or cheers for trucks as they drive by.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2018
My 3 yr old daughter picked this off the library shelf as she wanted a book about trucks and really liked that it was a truck similar to the one in Cars. Cute book with counting, fun sounds, movement, and new terminology.
February 5, 2018
Cute. Includes a lot of truck lingo with explanation. From loading up to end of delivery. Good illustrations.
June 6, 2018
I learned so cool terminology I didn't know about 189 wheelers. Truck-tionary!
October 3, 2018
An 18-wheeler takes the reader on a cargo delivery. A fun way to learn about these transfer trucks. A glossary - called a truckionary - is in the back. Bright, fun illustrations.
August 22, 2017
Okay, right out front: if your kid is into trucks and construction equipment and the like, they'll love this book. They'll request it over and over. So much you'll probably get a bit sick of this. But they'll do that for any such book, so make sure you find one YOU CAN STAND READING OVER AND OVER.
For me, I doubt I'd be able to take more than three readings of this book. The artwork seems meant to capitalize on the success of the Cars franchise, without using any of their properties. Odd, seeing as this is a Disney-published book. It's mainly that which gets to me. Cars kind of bugs me, personally, and seeing a non-Cars franchise so deliberately emulating the style (and I'm not just talking the sentient cars thing; any vehicle here could be dropped into a Cars movie and fit right in) when the artist could have at least tried for some originality is irksome.
The inclusion of trucker slang would have been fine if they made more of an effort to define the phrases within the pages where they were used. I was a bit confused all through the book, until the glossary at the end. A glossary is fine in a more advanced children's book, but at this level, I think including the explanation on the same page would be better.
But perhaps I'm nit-picking. And, in the end, it is more about if your kid enjoys the book.
That said, I got this from my sister-in-law, who was real eager to get this out of her house and away from her machine-obsessed son. So...still maybe be wary of it running its course.
For me, I doubt I'd be able to take more than three readings of this book. The artwork seems meant to capitalize on the success of the Cars franchise, without using any of their properties. Odd, seeing as this is a Disney-published book. It's mainly that which gets to me. Cars kind of bugs me, personally, and seeing a non-Cars franchise so deliberately emulating the style (and I'm not just talking the sentient cars thing; any vehicle here could be dropped into a Cars movie and fit right in) when the artist could have at least tried for some originality is irksome.
The inclusion of trucker slang would have been fine if they made more of an effort to define the phrases within the pages where they were used. I was a bit confused all through the book, until the glossary at the end. A glossary is fine in a more advanced children's book, but at this level, I think including the explanation on the same page would be better.
But perhaps I'm nit-picking. And, in the end, it is more about if your kid enjoys the book.
That said, I got this from my sister-in-law, who was real eager to get this out of her house and away from her machine-obsessed son. So...still maybe be wary of it running its course.
April 29, 2014
Join Frankie the Big Rig truck as he takes us on a journey through the world of trucks. Full of truck driving lingo and colorful illustrations, Big Rig introduces young readers to the words and sounds of the road.
Through the clever use of onomatopoeia (“URRRRNNNT-URRRRNNT!” goes Frankie’s horn), Swenson creates a fun adventure that will grab the attention of any young reader and although it "teaches" it never feels didactic. Although all picture books are meant to be read aloud, this one lends itself perfectly to storytime with its jazzy feel and fun sounds. There is even a "Truck-tionary" at the end with big rig vocabulary terms that are used throughout the book. Ned Young's illustrations are vibrant, reminding me of the movie Cars with its anthropomorphism. A great book for those kids who just can't get enough of trucks.
Review and Author interview originally posted on Children's Atheneum.
Through the clever use of onomatopoeia (“URRRRNNNT-URRRRNNT!” goes Frankie’s horn), Swenson creates a fun adventure that will grab the attention of any young reader and although it "teaches" it never feels didactic. Although all picture books are meant to be read aloud, this one lends itself perfectly to storytime with its jazzy feel and fun sounds. There is even a "Truck-tionary" at the end with big rig vocabulary terms that are used throughout the book. Ned Young's illustrations are vibrant, reminding me of the movie Cars with its anthropomorphism. A great book for those kids who just can't get enough of trucks.
Review and Author interview originally posted on Children's Atheneum.
November 8, 2013
Frankie is a big truck with an even bigger personality. The lightning bolt on the side of his shiny blue trailer shows that he is ready to roll, and the loopy chrome grin on his grill shows that he is going to love every minute of it. There’s lots to look at as Frankie takes on cargo and then hits the road, passing a waterpark, farm, and a retro diner before reaching his destination - Dinosaur Land! Speckled with convincing onomatopoeia (“URRRRNNNT-URRRRNNT!” goes Frankie’s horn) and jazzy CB slang, the text has an unpredictable edge, making it a vibrant read-aloud, while sharp realistic paintings with lots of background detail capture the pre-reader’s attention. A friendly, peppy addition to the canon of books for truck-obsessed three-year-olds that already includes Dinotrux, I Stink! and The Three Little Rigs. And as Frankie advises, “Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!” —Paula Willey
Reviewed for Booklist
Reviewed for Booklist
May 18, 2014
Big Rig is the engaging story of Frankie, an eighteen-wheeler with big personality and heart. Author Jamie A. Swenson uses conversational second-person narrative to effectively draw in readers and invite them on a cross-country haul. ("I've got a big job to do-climb in, you can come too.") And she adds in onomatopoeia to good effect, as when it rains, "Wipers - do your job - SCHWATT, SCHWATT, SCHWATT") Bright, energetic illustrations flow neatly with the text to convey every turn and challenge that Frankie faces and also offer story and setting details beyond the text. The truck-tionary at the end includes terms used throughout the story and is a thoughtful bonus for anyone, truck loving children or not. Overall, an engaging read-aloud with a bit of useful information.
July 24, 2016
While there are a lot of things to love about this picture book about an 18-wheeler big rig, two things that really stand out for me include: the terminology and the sound effects. This book introduces young children to the work, mechanics, and terminology of trucking. The word 'cargo' is explained in the text, and the other terms are defined in a glossary at the back of the book. While adults will love the fact that this book helps expand a child's vocabulary, children will love sounding the horn along with the truck throughout the story. I can already see myself going "URRRNNT-URRRNNNT!" in storytime now! (February 2014)
November 4, 2014
The book description calls this book for ages 3 to 5 and I fully agree.
A beginning reader to an intermediate reader could handle this book. Thinking of my 6 year old who loves to read, he would definitely still read it although I know it would be easy for him.
The words are big and there aren’t a ton of words to the page.
The illustrations are super cute and would definitely capture the eye of younger children.
The book is cute and gives an ‘inside’ look into the big rig trucks you pass on the road and lets the kids know what the big rigs do and where they may be going.
I definitely recommend for the younger kids (great for a preschool or kindergarten classroom too!)
A beginning reader to an intermediate reader could handle this book. Thinking of my 6 year old who loves to read, he would definitely still read it although I know it would be easy for him.
The words are big and there aren’t a ton of words to the page.
The illustrations are super cute and would definitely capture the eye of younger children.
The book is cute and gives an ‘inside’ look into the big rig trucks you pass on the road and lets the kids know what the big rigs do and where they may be going.
I definitely recommend for the younger kids (great for a preschool or kindergarten classroom too!)
March 24, 2014
I recently shared Big Rig at PreK (age 4) . The Bold bright illustrations grabbed their attention right off. We loved the zingy fun words used through out the story. I appreciated the use of new vocabulary and easy explanations of new words (cargo) in the text. There is also a great "truckinary" in the back of the book with trucking terminology. We very much enjoyed reading Big Rig and it as become a new regular request with the kids.
"I received a complimentary copy of Big Rig for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own."
"I received a complimentary copy of Big Rig for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own."
June 17, 2014
Frankie, an eighteen wheeler, invites the readers to join him on the job. The reader is invited to count the tires, pull the horn, and hit the brakes allowing for many opportunities to make sounds. All of Frankie's cargo has child appeal. But when Frankie has a blow out what will happen? Just in case the readers don't figure out the trucking terms there is a truck-tionary at the end.
A fun story with plenty of kid appeal. Colorful pictures pop off the page.
A fun story with plenty of kid appeal. Colorful pictures pop off the page.
August 11, 2016
Onomatopoeia abounds in this tale told by a big rig of his day hauling cargo. The "Truck-tionary" glossary at the end taught me some new big rig vocabulary terms - did you know that those tire fragments you see along the side of the road are nicknamed alligators? Fans of Disney/Pixar's Cars or Sciezka's Trucktown series will love the trucks in Big Rig.
March 13, 2014
GREAT story time book for 2 & up. Filled with fun sound words, just enough plot -- and fantastic illustrations. Glad I found this one - I've used it with kids up to first grade and they have all enjoyed it. There's a truck dictionary at the end with all the truck words defined - like "alligators in the road" are the treads that you see after a tire pops. Fun.
March 14, 2014
meh. This was too much like I Stink for me. It's great for kids who can't get enough truck books. And the pictures are nice.
July 5, 2017
The story of Frankie, the semi, and his travails. Lots of Onomatopoeia which makes for a lively read aloud. Pair with Jon Scieszka's Trucktown series.
I like the "Truck-tionary" in the back with all the trucker terminology used in the book. Things like Land Yacht = Mobile Homes; Kiddie cars = school bus; alligator = tread in the road from an 18-wheeler.
I like the "Truck-tionary" in the back with all the trucker terminology used in the book. Things like Land Yacht = Mobile Homes; Kiddie cars = school bus; alligator = tread in the road from an 18-wheeler.
July 7, 2014
Usually I am not a fan of human features on vehicles but the ones in Big Rig are charming and bring Frankie’s big personality to life. Filled with onomatopoeia and lingo the story reads easily in second person narrative while introducing new vocabulary. Ned Young’s illustrations are bright and contain details encouraging further discussion. Perfect for a storytime or reading one on one.
October 3, 2015
Fun language, big bright illustrations, and an engaging first person narrator make this a great read aloud for the preschool crowd. I paired it with Kate McMullen's I'm Dirty! and Barbara Odanaka's Smash! Mash! Crash! There Goes the Trash! For a noisy truck and big machine storytime at a preschool daycare.
February 3, 2014
For any kid who loves trucks, this will be a favorite. I especially appreciate the "Truck-tionary" in the back, explaining trucking terms, like alligator, magic mile, and the phrase--Shiny side up and rubber side down!"
August 27, 2016
I wish Kate and Jim McMullan had gotten to the big rig first! This was cute and written in a too-similar-to-Kate-McMullan-to-be-a-coincidence way; however Jim McMullan's big rig would have been more charming.
May 19, 2016
fans of truck books will probably eat this story up about a tractor trailer traveling a great distance to deliver his load. Loved that it was told from the tractor trailers perspective -- very lightening McQueen.
March 1, 2014
This will no doubt be hugely popular with young truck fans.
February 3, 2014
Truck fans and fans of the movie, Cars, will probably enjoy this one. It's a very enthusiastic look at an anthropomorphic 18-wheeler's day.
February 14, 2014
A fun little book about trucks. Great for interacting with the little ones during story time.
February 24, 2014
This is a great book for children who like to learn about trucks. It is full of chances for those reading to interact with the text, and the text itself is very entertaining.
March 6, 2014
The "Truck-tionary" at the end was the saving grace for this "I Stink" and "Cars" impersonator.
August 3, 2016
Similar conceit (albeit not as successful as) to In the Driver's Seat
September 11, 2016
simple,would make a good transportation storytime book. Plenty of noises.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews