Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
It's a mash-up made in heaven (or maybe hell): ghoulish monsters and larger-than-life vehicles decked out with oversize tires, spikes, and menacing grins. After Denise (Baking Day at Grandma's) gets introductions out of the way ("Frankentruck is first to arrive./ With a jump of his cables, He's alive! He's alive!"), the race is on. The competitors include Vampire Truck, Zombie Truck, and-what's this?-"a little blue bus looking perky... and cute." The VW-bus-style newcomer quickly makes short work of the larger, fiercer racers, and a kicker reveals that she's more than just a pretty fascia. Wragg (Elwood Bigfoot: Friends Wanted!) creates some wicked vehicular hybrids-Ghost Truck fittingly evokes an old Rolls Royce Phantom-and eerie green skies and yellow moonlight set the stage for full-throttle Halloween fun. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. Illustrator's agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-On a "Spooky Speedway," a creepy collection of monster trucks assemble to race to the finish line. Bright, bold illustrations bring characters like Zombie Truck, Frankentruck, and Werewolf Truck to life. When a tiny VW-style van shows up to race, the big monster trucks think lunch has arrived. But Little Blue Bus has a spooky secret that will delight audiences as they cheer on the tiny underdog to the win. A good choice for a not too frightening read-aloud. VERDICT With lots of movement in the text and on the pages, this is a quick seasonal storytime selection that is sure to be popular around Halloween. Monstrous fun!-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh © Copyright 2016. 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 Kirkus Book Review
These monster trucks really are monsters, and their race is sure to get cheering children on the edges of their seats.A spooky speedway surrounded by creepy trees and with gravestones in the center is the setting for this rhyming tale; mummies, ghosts, witches, and skeletons watch from the stands. Five monster trucks enter the race. Frankentruck is first to arrive. / With a jump of his cables, hes alive! Hes alive! Werewolf Truck croons a tune and howls at the moon, Zombie Trucks headlights glow green and he drips diesel, and Ghost Truck has a wonderfully curvy shape that tapers at the back and a grille shaped like an open, moaning mouth. The last monster truck is Vampire Truck, his purple spoiler shaped like a cape and fangs overhanging his grille. But those arent the only contestants: out of the pitwith a PUTT and a TOOT / comes a Little Blue Bus, / looking perkyand cute. Its a VW bus (though her nose is an M in a circle rather than a VW). Unsurprisingly, its the latecomer who comes out ahead, though Vampire Truck is hot on her trail and ready to drink her fuel. Wraggs acrylic-and-digital illustrations are sufficiently dark and creepy, filled with greens, purples, and yellows, and the anthropomorphized trucks truly suit their names. Monster-truck fans wont want to miss this Halloween showdown. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
