Young viewers will be enchanted by nine brightly colored earth-shaking machines, including a dump truck, a plow, a bulldozer, and a foldout spread of a crane that takes counting to exciting new heights. It's time to feel the rumble of trucks, trucks, trucks! 2000 Notable Children's Books (ALA)

    Engaging, cartoonish animals from tigers to pangolins romp across the pages as the rhyming text bounces along: “Tails fluffy, / Tails stringy, / Scaled tails strong and—clingy!” Pull tabs, lift-able flaps, tufts of fur, and even a scratch-and-sniff skunk tail provide plenty of tactile surprises. Along the way, youngsters will learn about counting, opposites, and how animals use their tails. A tried and true tail-wagger!

    . . freight train.In simple, powerful words and vibrant illustrations, Donald Crews evokes the rolling wheels of that childhood favorite: a train. This board book features sturdy pages and is just the right size for little hands.This Calecott Honor Book features bright colors and bold shapes. Even a child not lucky enough to have counted freight cars will feel he or she has watched a freight train passing after reading Freight Train.Donald Crews used childhood memories of trains seen during his travels to his grandparents' farm in the American South as the inspiration for this timeless favorite.

    As soon as there's a fire alarm, the engines start to roar. The firefighters jump aboard...it rumbles out the door." Jump aboard a bright red fire engine with a trio of friendly animal firefighters as sirens wail, lights flash, fire hoses squirt, and fires blaze -- in this story that blends action and rhyme with all the details kids want to know about one of their favorite machines. The mix of visual entertainment and lively wordplay ensures that young children will delight in the reading experience, as will the adults fortunate enough to read aloud these irresistible rhymes!

    Beginning with two cats, one black and one white, a chain of animals appears before the reader, linked together by at least one common trait. From simple colors and shapes to more complex and abstract associations, each unexpected encounter celebrates the magnificent diversity of our world—and ultimately paints a story of connection. Brendan Wenzel's joyous, rhythmic text and exuberant art encourage readers to delight in nature's infinite differences and to look for—and marvel at—its gorgeous similarities. It all starts with a simple "Hello."

    From the popular creators of I’m Bad!, I Stink!, and I’m Dirty! comes the perfect new addition to this hilarious read-aloud series: the fire truck.He’s a big red ENGINEWith a siren,A horn,A tank full of water,And a whole lotta HOSE!He’s a good-lookin’ fire truck,And he’s BRAVE, too.When the alarm soundsEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOHe’s gotta drive throughSMOKE and HEATStraight to a blazing FIRE! HONK! HONK!

    Through a  series of ingenious die-cut pages, the reader discovers things that are the opposite of what they seem: A black bat transformed into a white ghost, a sunny day that becomes a starry night. Posed as a series of 18 questions and answers, Black? White! Day? Night! is sure to be a big success with small children everywhere.

    Race car 1 honks look at me!He zooms in front with the turn of a key.Race car 2 is close behind.The sound of vroom is on his mind.This simple, rhyming text is perfect for reinforcing counting with young children, and the vibrant, energetic illustrations make this a terrific package for the youngest vehicle enthusiasts.

    Jump aboard and have a good time!Patricia Hubbell introduces the fifth installment to her popular series featuring "things that go!" Sean Addy and Megan Halsey portray a variety of boats using vibrant clip art, etchings, and original drawings. What a perfect gift for anyone who loves sailing the ocean blue!

    Part guessing game, part counting book, NIGHT LIGHT is a boldly imagined book for the preschool child who loves cars, trucks, and anything that goes. With die-cuts on every other page, this rhyming story features vehicles and counting, combining a high interest preschool subject with important preschool concepts.

    A flock of hapless sheep drive through the country in this rhyming picture book.

    A smaller square format with thick, sturdy pages, make these little picture books perfect for young readers, ages 2-6, and for reading aloud again and again.

    Rotten luck. Can't go! My truck is stuck. Tug and tow. Two engines roar. But the truck won't go. Not one inch more. Does anyone know how to make my stuck truck go? In this lyrical read-aloud, young drivers are introduced to the ins and outs of hauling, beeping, and repairing -- get ready for a fun ride!

    While a boy and his parents go for an outing, little people invade the house and use their big construction equipment to bake a cake.

    Near car, far car. Whoa! Bizarre car!Ready to hit the road? Gear up for a nonstop parade of shapes, sizes, sounds, and even smells in a wild array of cars packed with big personalities, awesome features, and eccentric passengers. Driven by Peter Stein’s bouncing verse, Bob Staake’s high-powered artwork merges vibrant color and crisp, dynamic design with humor, warmth, and whimsy. This rousing excursion is sure to thrill all fans of things that go, as well as aficionados of the illustrator’s signature style.