TRUCKER KID

by Carol Gordon Ekster, Russ Cox (Illustrator)

Although Athena misses her truck-driving daddy when he's on the road, she thinks he has the most amazing job in the world. She loves showing off her love of all things trucking. But her classmates don't quite get her or why she calls herself Trucker Kid. Can Athena change their minds and show the other students that it's cool to be Trucker Kid? Highlighting a child's pride for a parent's job, author Carol Gordon Ekster and illustrator Russ Cox remind readers of the essential role truck drivers play in their everyday lives.

Genres: Picture Books, Trucks, School, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Carol Gordon Ekster’s first published children’s book, Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?-A Story of Divorce, Boulden Publishing, 2008, was inspired by one special former student who lived the schedule described in the book. It was an About.com Readers' Choice 2012 finalist for Best Children's Book for Single Parents. Another of her stories was in Library Sparks magazine, February 2010. Her second book, Ruth The Sleuth and The Messy Room, was picked up by Character Publishing, for their first list, and came out December 2011. It was awarded the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval in 2012. When Character Publishing closed its doors, Mazo Publishers brought it back in a large print paperback edition, 2018. Her third picture book, Before I Sleep: I Say Thank You with Pauline Books and Media released January 1, 2015 and is going into its fourth printing. It was a Catholic Press Association 3rd place winner for excellence in publication in the children's book category, 2016. Her first e-book, Hip Hopping Books, came out spring 2015 as part of a digital library with Schoolwide, Inc. And the picture book, You Know What?, came out first in Dutch (Mama, Wist Je Dat?), December 2016 with Clavis Books, and the English version released September 1, 2017. It was a CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards Nominee for Talk (2018) and a
Crystal Kite Award Finalist, New England region, 2018. Chinese, Arabic and Korean translations are available. You can watch the book trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcobc...
Carol's book came out with Beaming Books in May 2022, titled SOME DADDIES. Her sixth book, TRUCKER KID, releases January 1, 2023 with Capstone, illustrated by Russ Cox.
Carol retired after teaching 4th grade for 35 years. She starts her day exercising and doing yoga, then works on her writing and book promotion. She loves to discuss using picture books with all elementary grade students and has presented about this at conferences. She is excited that her writing gives her another way to communicate with children.
Stay in touch:
https://linktr.ee/carolgordonekster

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Children's book that I read to my twin boys. My husband is a trucker, and his big rig is bright red too. My boys just loved this book. I also loved that in the back of this book shows how important it is to have truck drivers. I love this book so much, and I found it to be so cute. I loved the pictures. I will be buying my boys a copy of this book when it comes out. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Note: I have since purchased a copy of this book.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know I would tear up reading this kid's picture storybook. Being adults, we have become so bland and seem like we have taken everything for granted, become bitter and frustrated with everyone and everything.

This book is a gentle important reminder not to set ourselves as an example to the kids filling our social interactions with comparisons and comparisons, unable to let go of stereotypes but celebrate everyone and respect their professions.

The child in the story is so enthusiastic about her father's job. It is a clear reminder of how we used to think of every job as wonderful and full of possibilities!

Such a good book.

Thank you, Capstone, for the advance reading copy.

[Star Gater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone Editions for accepting my request to read and review Trucker Kid.

Author: Carol Gordon Ekster
Published: 01/01/23
Genre: Children's Fiction

Cute, cute, cute all the way around. The illustrations are sharp, but don't take away from the well-written story.

A little girl has a dad who is an over the road truck driver. She dresses like him and one day at school is confronted. She explains why she is a Trucker's Kid. The story evolves from there in just a few short pages.

Super hero? The reader makes that decision.

Beautifully, the author leaves six things that would happen if truckers stopped rolling. This is not done in a political fashion; it is for educational purposes. The author also notes how big trucks are to her young new driver; a lesson that cannot start early enough.

I absolutely would gift this, and put in every babysitters arsenal.

[Phaea Crede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so lucky to get a digital ARC of this wonderful new picture book from Carol Gordon Ekster. Trucker Kid gives us a fascinating glimpse into the world of a girl with a hard-working trucker dad. When the kids at school question her truck obsession, she wows them with her tales of life on the road. Perfect for any kid who loves trucks (so basically, any kid).

[Dylan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtly informative while showing the connection between a father and daughter, Trucker Kid is an adorable picture book. With the popularity among kids with trucks (and other large motor vehicles), Trucker Kid will easily become popular.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and funny, this book is the perfect read for any kid!

[Byron Bibliotherapy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written book about one of our essential workers we don't often see celebrated in picture books! I love hearing more stories about working-class families, and the author includes a note at the back about how she overheard the family talking and then interviewed them. This seems like a nice collaboration until we can see more working-class #OwnVoices stories. Although the truckers are probably too busy trucking'! That's what writers like Carol Gordon Easter are for. Great job by the illustrator as well. The illustrations are so cute, and you can really see how little Athena play-acts and aspires to be just like her dad. Preschoolers to 1st Grade kids will love this one as a classroom/library/bedtime read-aloud.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.
See my instagram post here @byronbiblio : https://www.instagram.com/p/CoLg8ioPM...

[Susan]

A cute story about a little girl named Athena (based on a real-life girl named Athena) whose Dad is a long-haul trucker. When Athena announces to her class that she is “Trucker Kid,” her classmates are skeptical until Athena’s Dad visits the class and shows them his truck. Author Carol Gordon Ekster sprinkles in a fun assortment of similes inspired by trucking and traffic: “deflate like a flat tire,” “silent as a stop sign,” and “sleep like a stalled vehicle.” Russ Cox’s fun illustrations bring Athena’s story to life, while back matter explains the important role truckers play in transporting goods we want and need.

[Valerie Bolling · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! There are many books about trucks but this is the first I’ve seen about a trucker kid – what it means to be a child whose parent is often on the road away from home. The main character clearly loves her father, though she misses him when he’s “trucking.” I loved that he came to school to visit her class, and I especially loved the clever trucker similes in this book. An enjoyable read.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book-the story and the illustrations and the MC's outfit was really cute! But it didn't say anything about a log book, a bunk/bed inside the cab for when the trips are long distance or kids seeing the semi on the highway and making the hand signal for the truck driver to blow the air horn!

[Helen Wu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written and illustrated book follows a girl who is super passionate about her dad's job - being a truck driver, showcases the importance of all professions, and breaks down gender stereotype. It also educates kids about different jobs in this society. Highly recommend!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many kids love trucks and will like learning about this little girl who sometimes gets to ride in the truck with her dad! Although the story is fictional it is partially based on a real family the author encountered.

[Kelli Panique · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! If your kid loves trucks, they will want to read this book over and over again!

[Katie Mazeika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story about a girls pride in her father and his job. A really touching story. The author included backmatter emphasizing the importance of trucks and why we need them.

[Galaxy-Boy Delivery (Stilo and Korl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"TRUCKER KID" is one of those gems that teach kids that sometimes nicknames aren't just nicknames. Express yourself. Express your love for your parents, their jobs and your family! This is "Galaxy-Boy Delivery" from All Ages of Geek and we 100% recommend "TRUCKER KID" because of how honest the writing is about self-expression without a preachy tone to it.

Athena as a character is also a great voice for truckers and their work. "TRUCKER KID" does not shy away from how much work truckers need to do and how it impacts their family. The illustrations also compliment the writing as Ekster tells this heartwarming story while also making it both educational and impactful for kids and adults.

"Galaxy-Boy Delivery" gives this five stars!
STAR RATING: ★★★★★

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and could relate. I am the proud daughter of a mechanic dad who repaired and maintained big trucks that shipped brand new cars all across my province. I was always in awe as I visited him and saw the majesty and importance of these huge rigs.

Athena's dad is a truck driver and she misses him terribly while he is out on the road. Oftentimes she is lucky enough to spend quality time with him when he is doing a delivery and she believes that his job is the most exciting job ever.

She is proud to boast to her classmates about her dad's job but they don't understand the importance of his work and why she calls herself a Trucker Kid.

She is happy to explain to them why she feels this way and being a trucker's daughter is awesome!

The illustrations are colourful, full of passion, and show a diverse group of classmates which I love. The book is a celebration of the role of trucks and those that drive them and is educational as well. It points out how essential trucks are to our every day lives. I highly recommend "Trucker Kid"!

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever really thought about how food gets to the supermarket or goods get to the stores so we can buy things? I haven’t either! This picture book is all about a kid who loves and is super proud of her trucker dad and wants all the kids at her school to understand that trucks aren’t just “cool,” they are necessary to keep our world moving. I love all the great truck metaphors used throughout like “When she heads inside, she deflates like a flat tire” and “the class is as silent as a stop sign.” The fabulous back matter about the importance of trucks and the bright and beautiful illustrations make this book a winner!

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Trucker Kid hits the spot! There are so many important aspects of trucking in this picture book-besides being adorable! This book is very easy to read and will easily capture young readers' attention with the fun illustrations and "truck-y" vocabulary. I like how the positives (very necessary) of why we need truckers and the challenges of truckers being away from home are shared in age appropriate language. I also like how Athena shares about her dad and his job, while also championing the trucking industry. Perfect for career day, discussions about supply chains, family themes, blocks, and dramatic play. My adult son is a trucker mechanic and I think he would love and endorse Trucker Kid.

[Hilary Margitich · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful peek into the world of big rig trucking, and into the world of a captivating little girl who loves and admires her daddy and his work! A must-read for truck-loving children, but highly engaging for all children.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRUCKER KID is a well-written picture book which uses clever truck related terminology. It is about a child who misses her father when he is away driving his truck. She helps other kids learn about trucks and their importance. Younger children will love this book and older children will be delighted with all the information about trucking. This is a good read for the whole family.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book!! I loved the story and the illustrations too!! Kudos to Carol for the wonderful story and kudos to Russ Cox for the gorgeous illustrations!!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My spouse has always driven trucks, so many of Althena's experiences were simular to our daughter's memories. Many of our daughter's toys were trucks, which she played with outside. Many of the truck routes hanging in Althena's room were simular to the stories my daughter's dad told us and the sites he saw. There were occasions that our daughter rode in daddy's truck and Althena, loved sleeping in the bunk.
Althena's dad was unusual, since he did come home from work everyday, so he did not eat dinner with mom and Althena.. Her teacher invited Althena's dad to school and there the students were introduced to truck driving. Through that visit, the children learned that not every dad works in an office and the importance of what Althena's dad does.. Because of truck drivers, we have the food that sits on the grocery shelves and even the toys that students played with.
The book is charming and beautifully illustrated thus would be a perfect book to add to a classroom library. Thank you Carol Gordon Ekster, Russ Cox, Capstone Edition, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading and reviewing this book.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet children's book tells the story of a little girl who feels like a super hero and calls herself Trucker Kid. When her dad, who drives a semi truck, is away from home, she enjoys drawing pictures, playing with toy trucks and telling her friends stories about her dad and his amazing truck. The story also teaches about the importance of truck drivers and the impact they make in our daily lives, providing food, fuel, and other essential items to the stores and businesses in our community. The illustrations are intriguing and the font is clean and fairly large. I could definitely see my grade 3 students reading and enjoying this book independently. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 4-8 range, especially those who have a family member in the transport industry. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this great book!

[MookNana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute slice-of-life book that explores the world of long-haul trucking. Athena's dad goes on the road during the week and while she misses him she thinks about his life and shares it with her friends at school. Prompted by their curiosity, the school organizes a Trucker Day where Athena's dad brings in his rig and answers their questions.

I liked all the sly nods to trucking in the text of the story. The illustrations were vivid and colorful and supported the story well. Athena's classroom is shown as very diverse, so lots of kids can see themselves in the story. This would be a great pre-k or elementary classroom read for career exploration, and, as kids are often fascinated by trucks, it would likely be a pretty popular selection!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read "Trucker Kid".

This was a bit of an unexpected read. I wasn't quite sure where the story would go, though once it got started, I was so excited. This reminded me of "Bring Your Parent to School Day" from Elementary school. Each person would sit there thinking about how some parents jobs are really cool, really boring or just kinda meh. I am glad to see truckers being celebrated in this book. Essential workers like grocery store workers, emergency responders, healthcare professionals and truckers are foundational to how the world continues to sustain itself. To most, being a trucker may not be glamorous, it may not get you home from a 9-5, but it is an extremely important job.

I would love for kids to read this and see truckers in a different light.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a super picture book! Engaging and informative, it introduces young readers to the life of a trucker on the road and the important role of trucking in North America. But best of all, kids will relate to the main character's great love for her father and how she misses him when he's away at work -- trucking. She imagines what he's doing when he's away -- and she calls herself Trucker Kid at school. At first, the other kids think she's silly -- "Trucker Kid isn't a superhero!" -- but once she's done explaining what it's like being a truck with her dad, they all want to be Trucker Kids too. And I love the authenticity of the kids' questions to the dad when he shows up with the truck at school! "Where do you go for bathroom breaks? Do you deliver ice cream? Where do you park at night?"

[Carmela Coyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and informative story! So much of our lives and comforts rely on the hard work of truckers! Young Athena is the very proud daughter of a trucker, which of course makes her the Trucker Kid! It's always charming when a child admires their parents profession. Athena brings her enthusiasm and admiration to school with her everyday especially when her dad is on the road. Soon the other kids begin to realize how important (and cool) the trucker profession is to Athena and our country. Informative back matter contains even more reasons to admire truckers, like Athena's hard-working papa. A sweet read-aloud anytime!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always on the lookout for new truck and transportation books for my little guy and I loved this one for its depiction of a different family dynamic and for how it follows a little girl who loves trucks. This book subtly educates on the importance of all occupations and helps to break down the gender stereotypes of what’s appropriate for boys and girls to like. I enjoyed this cute book and feel it will be a popular one when it publishes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Capstone and Carol Gordon Ekster for an advance copy.

[Cathy Ogren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book about a little girl, Athena, who is proud of her truck-driving daddy and his job. When Athena’s classmates wonder why she loves trucks so much, she tells them about her daddy and how important his job is to help keep the country running. The teacher decides to invite Athena’s daddy to school to show off his truck and talk about being a trucker. His visit is a huge success, and Athena’s classmates want to hear more stories about her daddy and his trucking adventures. This is a wonderful book for kids and adults.

[Aeroreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trucker Kid is a delightful children's novel that celebrates truckers and the family that loves them. The engaging pictures depict a diverse set of characters. In this sweet story, the word choices allow early readers to easily follow along. My six year old kiddo gave the highest praise to this story - he demanded to read it again immediately. I would recommend this book as a gift to all the trucker kids in your life.