Review by Booklist Review
The score is tied at the end of the first period. Hockey players skate off the hacked-up ice, while the motormouth in the announcer's booth taunts the Zamboni or, as the ice resurfacer calls himself, SHAZAMBONI! This machine doesn't just do the job, he does it with attitude and explains his many functions along the way. Racing the clock, he scrapes, shaves, squirts, vacuums, spritzes, and smooths the ice with jive and finesse. Seventeen minutes later, he is finished and savoring the crowd's cheers: COOLEST JOB in the world, right here, baby. The eighth picture book in the McMullans' series that began with I Stink! (2002), this volume has it all: a confident hero, an annoying antagonist, and a well-defined mission, accomplished with style. The droll, succinct text is well matched with the appealing watercolor-and-gouache artwork. Portraying the proud, hardworking Zamboni on the ice, the illustrations personify the machine while showing how it cleans up the rough ice and lays down a smooth surface. Highly recommended for hockey fans as well as truck-lovers.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"I'm a blade-packing, ice-shaving, snow-eating, water-spraying, slush-slurping, towel-dragging, triple-tank truck," boasts the McMullans' latest big-talking picture-book hero, a Zamboni machine. "How do I do it? Crank up your x-ray vision and I'll show ya how," the truck continues as readers see cutaway views of the blades, augers, paddles, and spray tubes that help get the job done. Between sound effects, a cranky arena announcer, and the Zamboni's wise-guy narration ("Shazamboni, baby. That's right"), read-aloud sessions should be as smooth as ice. Ages 4-8. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Our story begins with a sports commentator narrating a hockey game. A player trips on the rough ice, and a Zamboni has 18 minutes "to do his thing." Can he do it? Readers who've read any of the McMullans' odes to big rigs, like I'm Mighty! (2003) and I Stink! (2002, both HarperCollins), will already know the answer. Our hero takes the stage, stating, "Chill, Big Talker. I've got what it takes to go the job. `Cause I'm a blade-packing, ice-shaving, snow-eating, water-spraying, slush-slurping, towel-dragging triple-tank truck. Yup." He smooths the ice, and the game continues. "Coolest job in the world, right here, baby." The colorful, grinning Zamboni is whimsical but also informative, as he boasts about the blade and augers that make the job possible. VERDICT The authors are clearly still having fun with this format, and their young fans will, too.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Its intermission at the hockey game, and players stumble to their benches over rough ice. Enter the ice-shaving, snow-eating Zamboni to smooth out the rink. But time is short, and this machine works slowlycan the (anthropomorphized) Zamboni finish the task in time? The action begins on the title page and verso, as the loud-mouthed announcer bemoans the condition of the ice, setting the stage for Zambonis heroics. As Zamboni so eloquentlyand calmlystates, Even if you know how a bumblebee flies or a spider spins her web, its still magic. There really is something mesmerizing about watching a Zamboni smooth out the ruts in a rink, and Jim McMullan both captures this marvel and demystifies the process by which the machine works in a sequence of cutaway shots. The bright orange top half of the Zamboni contrasts nicely with the cool blue of the ice; text color and style vary by spread (and Zambonis mood). Fans of the McMullans previous books (including I Stink!, rev. 5/02, and Im Big!, rev. 9/10) will enjoy the machines familiar bravado, which is tempered by an amusing dose of nonchalance. Kate McMullan sprinkles wordplay and humorous banter throughout the text (announcer: Zamboni Machine, ya move like a turtle. Lookthe clocks ticking! Hit the gas! Zamboni: TALKER DUDE! Cant rush my MOVESSHAZAMBONI!), making this book as much fun to read aloud as it is to look at. sam bloom (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Adding to their list of many vehicular tributes, the McMullans take on an often overlooked large machinethe Zamboni. Full of bravado and swagger, the Zamboni zooms out after the hockey game's first period ready to smooth the ice. However, it has to compete with a big-talking announcer, who starts shouting on the title-page spread. "WHOA! / HE'S DOWN! / HE'S DOWN! / . / Nobody can skate / on ice this rough." Not to worry. The Zamboni is here. The announcer continues to egg it on: "Zamboni machine, ya / move like a turtle. / Lookthe clock's ticking! / Hit the gas! Finish up / so we can get back to the game!" A Zamboni's job can't be rushed. It needs to thoroughly check the ice before deciding how much to shave and then: SHAZAMBONI! The ice is clean again. The Zamboni explains all of its resurfacing components: the augers, the blade, the wash water, the vacuum, and more. But it's a race against the clock. The Zamboni only has 18 minutes to do the job. Luckily, it keeps its cool. Staccato, clipped quickness and plenty of onomatopoeia"VZZZZZZZZZZT"make this a read-aloud success. Who knew ice could be this much fun? (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
