Wheels

Construction Crew

by Sally Sutton, Brian Lovelock (Illustrator)

Big rig! Motorcycle! Fire truck! The creators of the Construction Crew series take to the road for an irresistible guessing game about things that go.

Rumbly wheels, grumbly wheels,
Hauling-up-the-hill wheels.
Wheels go fast, wheels go slow.
Shout what’s coming, if you know!

A motorcycle has just zoomed by, and now a woman in front of the hotel is waving at something. What could it be? Men are clankity-clanking up the street pulling bins — what must be rumbling up behind? And what could those schoolkids be watching for at the end of the day? If the vehicle is on wheels, it’s likely to show up in this lively picture book inviting children to join in at every page turn.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Transport, Childrens, Juvenile, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2020

About the author

Sally Sutton is an Auckland playwright and children’s writer. Her first picture book, "Crazy Kiwi Tops and Tails", was published by Penguin in 2006. "Roadworks" will be her third picture book. She lives in the bush-clad suburb of Birkenhead with her husband and children

Reviews

[Jennifer Miera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book could have benefitted from some diverse characters for sure, but the rhyming text and the prompts for kids to shout out what vehicle is coming next will be a hit. "Wheels go fast. Wheels go slow. Shout what's coming, if you know!" The book uses some words for motorized vehicles that aren't as familiar to most readers in the US, such as "motorbike" instead of motorcycle, and a "big rig" instead of semi truck. However it's a good time to point out that there are lots of different words for things.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I selected this title I didn’t make the connection that this is the author, Sally Sutton, from New Zealand who has done three titles on construction that I have enjoyed. This title is super including the illustrations by Brian Lovelock.
From the first page it pulls the child in asking the question, “Wheels go fast. Wheels go slow. Shout what coming if you know.”, and of course there are visual clues within the illustrations. Love the end papers with the various tire tread tracks crossing each other and then there is a page illustrating the seven parts of a wheel.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive, rhyming words accompany watercolor illustrations Where readers have to guess what form of transportation will come next. The large text does not provide the clues, but the partial showing drawing does. The book's last page displays a wheel with parts of it explained.
Characters are Caucasian, and there is no diversity among the one family or their neighborhood. Since it was first published in Australie, the school bus looks different from its American version. Readers will enjoy calling out the next transportation possibility.
Written
Pre Kindergarten through 1st grade
AD

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

"Wheels go fast. Wheels go slow. Shout what's coming if you know!" Read a hint and use the pictures to guess what vehicle is coming next.

Oh that was fun! A definite storytime read, though this is sorely lacking in diverse characters. Some words don't entirely align with what is most commonly used in the U.S. -- words like "motorbike" for motorcycle. The repetition will make this a winner in a toddler or preschool program though!

[Cynthia June Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.
Great for storytime.
A variety of vehicles are featured.
There are clues on a two-page spread for what the next vehicle will be and the refrain: "shout what's coming if you know." Then you turn the page and --voila--the next vehicle is revealed.
Bold pictures would work in group setting.
BONUS: last page is Parts Of A Wheel: STEM?

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent example of story and illustration that are a result of successful collaboration. I love the simple explanation of the parts of a wheel. SUPERB for parent-child reading. Light STEM.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read aloud or shout aloud for the vehicle lovers in your family. Describes what vehicle might be coming and encourages you to shout out the guess before you turn the page and discover what vehicle it is. bright, bold, and detailed illustrations include the parts of a wheel.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for a toddler or preschool storytime. Audience participation as kids get clues from the big pictures to guess which is the next vehicle with wheels when you turn the page. Will definitely use in storytime. Rhyming as well.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are fun, and I like the concept of kids anticipating the next vehicle based on a sneak peek or context clues and yelling out the name. However, regional variances in what people call these vehicles will make this difficult to use in practice.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vehicles with wheels, big and small. Rhyming text and repetition make for a good read aloud choice.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect for vehicle lovers and story time

[Tami (agreatbook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for young vehicle lovers! This book asks kids to guess vehicles from picture and verbal clues and encourages them to get silly by shouting.

[Annese · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book for car loving tots. This is sure to go over well in storytime, too. I really like the parts of the wheel graphic at the back of the book.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

With lots of of onomatopoeia, this book also contains a repeated refrain: "Wheels go fast. Wheels go slow. Shout what's coming if you know!" End papers show tire tracks.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many different wheels in this book and you'll find out and see what vehicles and modes of transportation use them.

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

would definitely use for a storytime book - anything doing with guessing or things that go. all types of vehicles in here!

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wheels, Wheels everywhere! Guess what types of wheels are coming up. Short picture book for little toddlers who love things that move fast. Would make an excellent board book.

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kivaa loruttelua ja arvaamista, että miks kulkupeli sieltä seuraavaksi tulee.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute way to engage children in following along with the story, clever.

[Nancy Messina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was not our favorite in the set but Warren still really enjoyed it. Fire trucks are always exciting and the motorcycle page made him smile every time.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyming tale and guessing game of all the different types of moving vehicles that have wheels on them, and the parts that make up a wheel is explained at the end of this book.

[ms. hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of repetition and rhyming words in this book! The kiddos loved the illustrations !

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming picture book about wheels and their different types. A cute book sure to please lovers of things that go.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun guessing game book

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the interactive feature. A few clues are given and then the reader is invited to "shout what's coming if you know!"

[Kelly Marie]

Saw Alex do this one in toddler storytime. Kids can guess what vehicle is coming up. Taxi tricked them. I would use it for things that go kinder storytime.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

J (3) could read this a million times. It’s perfect

[Kelly]

This is a really cool book that would be great for storytime. We already ask kids to guess what's coming, and this book has it built in. It's simple enough that ages 3-5 would get it, and the text is short, too.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sparse text and bright illustrations make this an excellent book for storytimes with littles!

Themes: things that move/transportation, wheels
Ages: toddler (shorten it), preK, K
Pub year: 2020

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun!