Supertruck

Starred review from November 3, 2014
In a city “full of brave trucks,” writes Savage (Little Tug), the green bucket truck, red fire truck, and blue tow truck spend their days rescuing this and fixing that, all with can-do smiles. But the nebbishy, bespectacled garbage truck? He’s not only colorless, “He just collects the trash.” Of course, Clark Kent flew under the radar, too—and, sure enough, when a blizzard hits, that very same garbage truck emerges from his garage as the snow-plowing Supertruck. He “digs out the whole city” (as well as his snazzier counterparts), only to disappear without waiting for thanks: “The next morning, the trucks wonder about the mighty truck who saved them. Where could he be?” Savage’s take on the superhero myth is terrific: there’s no bullying or teasing of the garbage truck, which makes his Supertruck transformation a triumph pure and simple. And the images are as fun as they are gorgeous: Savage’s vehicles exude a Golden Book sweetness, while his city scenes have both a crisp stylishness and an emotional punch. Ages 2–6. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

Starred review from October 15, 2014
When a blizzard stops the mighty trucks of the city from working, it's Supertruck to the rescue! In this metropolis, a cadre of brave trucks fixes electrical lines, extinguishes fires, and tows buses in need. But the garbage truck? He "just collects the trash." That is, until a snowstorm hits the town and he becomes Supertruck. With his mighty snow plow, he clears the roads all through the night. And in the bright, clear morning, the other trucks are left to wonder about the identity of the "mighty truck who saved them." Exciting, one-sentence-per-spread text is reminiscent of a Superman cartoon narration. (This is no coincidence; in his secret identity, Supertruck wears Clark Kent-style glasses.) In combination with crisp graphics and bold colors, the text makes the story accessible to young readers, while the sophisticated digital illustrations will appeal to all. Using a cool palette, Savage exploits shapes and colors to create interesting imagery and atmospheric environments for the truck that show that collecting trash is just as heroic as powerfully plowing through snow. A serious treat for truck lovers. (Picture book. 2-6)

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Starred review from January 1, 2015

PreS-K-Superpowers and vehicles collide in this tale of an unassuming garbage truck and his own alter ego. All city trucks have a mission; whether it's rescuing broken down buses, or fighting fires, they all help to save the day. One blustery evening when the snow piles up, the bespectacled garbage truck sneaks away to transform into Supertruck. In secret, he plows all the falling snow overnight but vanishes the next morning without a trace. The city dwellers and other four wheelers are all safe thanks to the powers of Supertruck. Savage creates an appealing hero that echoes another beloved character with a secret identity. Kids will chuckle at the truck's likeness to Clark Kent, and the minimal text will assist emerging readers in their own super abilities. Savage's distinct, graphic portrayal of the snowy metropolis sets the scene, while his use of perspective and color gradients allow readers to experience the blizzard firsthand. A superb addition to any library or storytime collection.-Claire Moore, Darien Library, CT

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from January 1, 2015
Preschool-K *Starred Review* Let's face it. Some trucks get all the glory, rushing about to repair a sparking power line, put out a fire, or tow a stranded school bus. Meanwhile, the lowly garbage truck goes about his work, collecting trash and hauling it away. But when a blizzard immobilizes the city and even the important bucket truck, fire engine, and tow truck can't get through the snow, the garbage truck adds a plow and becomes SUPERTRUCK, digging out the streets. The next day, he is back to his old job, collecting the garbage while the other vehicles wonder about the mighty truck who saved them. The short, pithy text is paired with beautifully composed illustrations in which clean lines, blocks of color, and effectively used textures create varied, evocative city scenes. Best known for illustrating picture books such as Lauren Thompson's Polar Bear Night (2004) and his own Where's Walrus? (2011), Savage makes the trucks into vivid characters by adding simple facial features. He also gives the intrepid garbage truck big black glasses, which go missing when he goes into super mode, suggesting Clark Kent's classic transformation into Superman. Just right for winter storytimes, this winning picture book will find an appreciative audience beyond just young truck-lovers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

Starred review from January 1, 2015
Secret identities, superheroes, and trucks. What more is there to say? While the city's "brave trucks" -- bucket, fire, and tow -- perform flashy tasks such as fixing power lines, fighting a blaze, and saving a broken-down bus, respectively, our unassuming, bespectacled hero quietly goes about his job: "The garbage truck? He just collects the trash." When a blizzard hits, blanketing the city and trapping the other trucks in tire-deep snow, the garbage truck sneaks into his version of a telephone booth (a garage) and emerges -- sans eyeglasses, headlights beaming, and with a shiny new plow attachment -- as: "SUPERTRUCK!" He clears the roads, then trundles away, leaving everyone to wonder about the "mighty truck" who saved them -- himself back to just doin' his job. Each page turn in this preschooler-perfect superhero book effortlessly does its job, from setting the friendly-looking urban scene to subtly introducing character traits (there are no people in the book, just trucks...and a squirrel) to marking the passage of time as snow continues to fall. Simple, recognizable shapes and bold crayon-box colors (plus snowy white) create images that are visually approachable, with smiley and frowny faces that telegraph emotions. The text is spare, but there's still plenty of drama! mystery! danger! And best of all: a good guy whose just reward is helping others. He may not be faster than a speeding bullet, but this trash-hauler is one super truck. elissa gershowitz

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)