Marie Fordacq

~ Review copy

CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES is a cute little book that has a lot going on. In a good way.

*First, this is a boardbook that has animals and construction equipment.

*Second, it is layered. By which I mean that as you go through the book every page gets larger. For example, the first page shows a Zebra who is standing on a mound with some plans and a phone. This page is quite small. The next page shows a Squirrel with a backhoe, and this page is almost twice as wide. As you go on there are layers that build one upon the other.

*Third, there are interesting shapes. Through the cut-out of Dog's hydraulic drill, you can see the driver of the cement mixer.

Of course, I like this book because there are so many things to talk about with toddlers and older babies. Besides the Construction Vehicles [Backhoe, Dump Truck, Hydraulic Drill, Cement Mixer, Crane.] and there are the animals [Zebra, Giraffe, Dog, Mouse, Pig, Elephant, Cat, Bear, Monkey, Bunny, and Chicken.]

In addition there are more advanced topics you can bring up during subsequent reads. Besides counting you can point out that the animals are cooperating to get the job done. And that they have plans and need to help one another. It's also not lost on me that Piggy is building a brick house. Perhaps homage to that most favorite piggy tale.

There is just lots to discuss and many things here to keep kids entertained.… (meer)