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Bulldozer's Christmas Dig
A very little bulldozer digs up a most unexpected Christmas gift for his friends at the construction site in this holly jolly third book in the Bulldozer series from award-winning author Candace Fleming and Caldecott Medalist Eric Rohmann.
It’s Christmas Eve, and Dump Truck is carrying…carrying…carrying garland.
Digger Truck is stringing…stringing…stringing lights.
Crane Truck is lifting…lifting…lifting wreaths.
And Bulldozer is worrying…worrying…worrying.
He doesn’t have any presents for his friends—not one! And time is running out. Does he need a Christmas miracle, or just a little ingenuity, and some digging, digging, digging?
It’s Christmas Eve, and Dump Truck is carrying…carrying…carrying garland.
Digger Truck is stringing…stringing…stringing lights.
Crane Truck is lifting…lifting…lifting wreaths.
And Bulldozer is worrying…worrying…worrying.
He doesn’t have any presents for his friends—not one! And time is running out. Does he need a Christmas miracle, or just a little ingenuity, and some digging, digging, digging?
40 pages, Hardcover
Published September 21, 2021
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Candace Fleming
66 books633 followersI have always been a storyteller. Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale. And I told them all the time. As a preschooler, I told my neighbors all about my three-legged cat named Spot. In kindergarten, I told my classmates about the ghost that lived in my attic. And in first grade I told my teacher, Miss Harbart, all about my family's trip to Paris, France.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 17, 2021
It's Christmas Eve, and all the trucks are busy. Dump Truck is carrying garland, Digger Truck is stringing lights onto a wreath that Crane Truck will lift and hang. Looking at all this activity, Bulldozer Truck is worried - he hasn't any presents to share with his friends. Maybe, just maybe, he can find some treasures if he digs around the construction site. But it seems that all he finds is junk - nothing that looks like a proper Christmas present. As he continues to dig, the junk piles up. Suddenly, Bulldozer looks at the pile of junk he's dug up and sees...possibility. Quickly and carefully, pushing the pile this way and that way, until he decides one thing is missing - a string of lights. But now Dump Truck, Digger Truck, and Crane Truck are ready to go home for the night. That is until Bulldozer Truck reveals his lovely Christmas tree, and with the help of his kitty cat friends, it even has to lovely tree topper. "It's a present to treasure" says Roller Truck. And he's absolutely right. This is the third book in the Bulldozer series and a welcome addition for fans of that little truck, and a delightful story for new fans. The illustrations are big, bold, and colorful and jolly. My young reader's loved this warmhearted story, especially the sound effects that are incorporated into the text and repeated by them with each reading. Does that make it an interactive story? Yes, it does. My kiddos love participatory stories like this.
November 8, 2021
Little construction fans' hearts will be warm and jolly thanks to this heart-warming, snowy tale.
This is the third book about Bulldozer, and I've had the chance to already discover at least one of them. Bulldozer is a very kind soul, who does his best to do his work and take care of those around him. In other words, he's got the perfect heart to slide into the Christmas spirit.
The illustrations are bright, clear and still carry the needed hint of artistry to make them worthy of coming back to time and again. And construction fans definitely will with this jolly group. Even though Bulldozer does worry, it's easy to feel for his situation, and his friends as well as the resolution are exactly as they should be. While Bulldozer worries about presents, this book shows the true meaning behind giving, and that is always a message to leave a smile on the face.
The text is well-written for the intended age group and makes a nice read aloud. The repeated words give listeners a chance to join in themselves, too.
I received a complimentary copy and can only smile at this bulldozer's adventures
This is the third book about Bulldozer, and I've had the chance to already discover at least one of them. Bulldozer is a very kind soul, who does his best to do his work and take care of those around him. In other words, he's got the perfect heart to slide into the Christmas spirit.
The illustrations are bright, clear and still carry the needed hint of artistry to make them worthy of coming back to time and again. And construction fans definitely will with this jolly group. Even though Bulldozer does worry, it's easy to feel for his situation, and his friends as well as the resolution are exactly as they should be. While Bulldozer worries about presents, this book shows the true meaning behind giving, and that is always a message to leave a smile on the face.
The text is well-written for the intended age group and makes a nice read aloud. The repeated words give listeners a chance to join in themselves, too.
I received a complimentary copy and can only smile at this bulldozer's adventures
December 24, 2021
While his friends help decorate the city, Bulldozer frets over what he can give his friends for Christmas. When he notices a tire buried in the snow nearby, he goes over to investigate. As he starts to clear the area he finds others pieces of leftover construction material. At first he thinks it's all just junk but after pushing it all together into one big pile, he gets an idea that helps him provide the Christmas gift he so wanted to give. As with the other Bulldozer stories, this one is a sweet tale of friendship, not only between Bulldozer and his truck friends, but between Bulldozer and the cats. The text with its fun mix of dialogue and sounds that young listeners will love to join in reading as the story proceeds. And the idea that gifts that come from the heart with a personal touch can be the best kind of gift shines through clearly. A fun tale for young truck and Christmas lovers.
December 27, 2021
A clever holiday read to encourage homemade gifts for loved ones.
We were a little bummed that the illustrations didn’t show all of Little Bulldozer’s friends very clearly like the original story. We did like his new kitty friends though.
Highly recommended for 2-5 year olds.
We were a little bummed that the illustrations didn’t show all of Little Bulldozer’s friends very clearly like the original story. We did like his new kitty friends though.
Highly recommended for 2-5 year olds.
February 17, 2023
I just love the closing images of bulldozer all dolled up in Christmas lights and wreaths as the construction site. This series is as much about the construction equipment as the anthropomorphizing of the equipment itself. A cool picture book series for the construction site lovers.
October 4, 2021
Loved it! Another Christmas classic!
October 13, 2021
A heartwarming story that will make you smile. The illustrations are wonderful; I absolutely loved the cats sprinkled throughout the story. Should be a fun read aloud too.
November 16, 2021
Simple, but it reminds me of that old Mike Mulligan story from when i was a kid 💜
December 3, 2021
Such a simple story with seemingly simple illustrations that is just wonderful. I love the illustrations and the idea of a Christmas tree made of junk!
December 8, 2021
Cute, boldly-illustrated Christmas story should appeal to kids who like vehicles and vehicle sounds. I liked all of the little cat buddies the bulldozer had.
December 28, 2021
Loved it. Great Christmas story.
December 29, 2021
Fun little read for toddlers during the Christmas season!
January 10, 2022
I just love the bold, dark lines of Eric Rohmann’s illustration style.
July 1, 2022
A Christmas doze book.
November 21, 2024
Bulldozer Haas no presents for his friends. So he digs and scrapes and could it be? Yes Merry Christmas!!!
December 4, 2024
Bulldozer is trying hard to find presents for all his friends, but all he digs up is junk. He begins to move his junk around until he makes the perfect gift for everyone to enjoy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2024
“I liked the lights a lot. I liked when he put up the Christmas tree” - Luke
December 26, 2024
Visually stunning. Good story. Cute cats. Probably the best Xmas book we read this season.
December 29, 2021
We are in the midst of a huge pause. The winter solstice 2021 was observed on December 21, 2021. Today, December 26, 2021 marks five more days before the new calendar year begins. Some seasonal holidays have been celebrated; preparations for others are still being made. It is as if everything and everyone are holding their collective breaths, waiting for what comes next.
When cherished characters return in a book, there is nothing more satisfying. When their appearance is in a holiday title, the happiness doubles. In his two previous volumes, Bulldozer's Big Day and Bulldozer Helps Out, this little machine with a huge heart has won our collective hearts. His return in Bulldozer's Christmas Dig (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books For Young Readers, September 21, 2021) written by Candace Fleming with artwork by Eric Rohmann sends out a mighty message.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
When cherished characters return in a book, there is nothing more satisfying. When their appearance is in a holiday title, the happiness doubles. In his two previous volumes, Bulldozer's Big Day and Bulldozer Helps Out, this little machine with a huge heart has won our collective hearts. His return in Bulldozer's Christmas Dig (A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book, Atheneum Books For Young Readers, September 21, 2021) written by Candace Fleming with artwork by Eric Rohmann sends out a mighty message.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews