Twenty Big Trucks in the Middle of Christmas

September 1, 2021
Two children count and name the trucks that bring Christmas festivities to the center of their town. First, there is the doughnut truck, which parks on the road while the children sled nearby. Next come a snowplow and a sander, clearing the road as the children look on. Then comes an enormous evergreen tree on a long flatbed. A digger makes the hole, and a crane lifts the tree to place it in the hole. More and more trucks arrive, bringing decorations, ladders, a band, a Christmas village, a generator, Christmas llamas, and more. When the star (carried aloft by the boom truck) falls to the ground, the children offer a creative solution to top the tree. After the Christmas scene is complete, "friends and families" sing and dance and enjoy doughnuts and cocoa together. The text rhymes lightly, with a rhythm that is not as catchy as it could be but effectively carries readers through the story and includes the trucks' names and numbers for a satisfying counting and pointing experience. The clean-lined illustrations have a flat feel, but the winter activities and the proportions of people, trucks, and tree invite interest in the scenes. The two children are White, and there is some diversity among the townspeople; notably, Santa, from afar, appears browner than most. Ideal for truck lovers seeking a holiday fix. (Picture book. 3-7)

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Starred review from November 1, 2021

PreS-Here come the trucks bringing Christmas into town! The creative team that conceived Twenty Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street hauls out 20 new trucks that fill the holiday with cheer. The snowplow and sander trucks clear the roads for the flatbed carrying a towering evergreen to decorate the town square. An earth drill, a ladder truck, and a boom truck with a basket crane all lend a hand. But...oh no! The star tree-topper falls from the cherry picker and shatters! Who will save the day? The most unlikely hero of all, the donut truck, lends its oversized rooftop donut to crown the tree. Lee's couplets read easily, while not shying away from delectable mechanistic words like "generator," "stake," and "flatbed." With no shortage of happenings in this town, each spread conveys a story of its own. A dancing, costumed snowman, a holiday band and choir, Santa on a sleigh, and a truck full of llamas all join the festivities. The text moves the story along quickly; however, readers will find themselves pausing to pore over each glorious spread. Using a muted palette, Cyrus treats children to a variety of perspectives. Viewing the scene from many angles pulls the viewer into the spectacle. This book works well as a companion to its predecessor, but will stand alone as a holiday favorite. VERDICT No preschooler will want to miss out on this heavyweight Christmas story. Highly recommended.-Richelle Rose, Kenton County P.L., KY

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2021
A fleet of public-works vehicles delivers the makings for a town's holiday celebration while two kids watch and play in the snow. First on the scene is a pastel-pink and blue truck with a giant doughnut on its roof. The doughnut truck looks a bit out of place, but more trucks arrive, drawing our attention elsewhere. Truck number four hauls a huge evergreen; a ladder truck (ten) helps workers place ornaments and lights. Other vehicles bring "a holiday band...a dancing snowman," a choir, Santa's sleigh, llamas, and more (including Santa himself in truck number twenty). When the star tree-topper falls and breaks, the sharp-eyed kids suggest a great replacement, bringing the story full-circle (just like the shape of a doughnut). This companion to 20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street (rev. 5/13) is brightened by Lee's rhyming text and Cyrus's winter-crisp digital illustrations. Kitty Flynn

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2021
A fleet of public-works vehicles delivers the makings for a town's holiday celebration while two kids watch and play in the snow. First on the scene is a pastel-pink and -blue truck with a giant doughnut on its roof. The doughnut truck looks a bit out of place, but more trucks arrive, drawing our attention elsewhere. Truck number four hauls a huge evergreen; a ladder truck (ten) helps workers place ornaments and lights. Other vehicles bring "a holiday band...a dancing snowman," a choir, Santa's sleigh, llamas, and more (including Santa himself in truck number twenty). When the star tree-topper falls and breaks, the sharp-eyed kids suggest a great replacement, bringing the story full-circle (just like the shape of a doughnut). This companion to 20 Big Trucks in the Middle of the Street (rev. 5/13) is brightened by Lee's rhyming text and Cyrus's winter-crisp digital illustrations.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)