Review by Booklist Review
Bulldozers and dump trucks and diggers, oh my! Hard Hat Hank and his work crew of three canines are charged with constructing a building. Though there are some problems along the way, such as a few loose bolts and a blown gasket, handy Hank calmly makes the necessary repairs. When it's discovered that two birds have built a nest on the rooftop, production halts. Though Hank is hard-hatted, he's not hard-hearted, so he and his crew make adjustments for the new tenants. Observant readers will spot the pair of blue birds flitting around the building site from almost the book's beginning. Engaging cartoon illustrations are filled with color and movement. Much of the rhyming text is enclosed in panels, with speech bubbles scattered throughout. An afterword explains how children can help the Earth and the creatures that live on it by planting flowers and assisting birds with nest building and food. A brief list of books and websites are included for readers to peruse.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This buoyant rhyming picture book introduces readers to construction foreman Hank, a black-and white-spotted dog who's precise, focused, and knows exactly how to handle a range of circumstances. When a crane breaks down, writes Gunnufson (Dream Submarine), "He studies his tools,/ then selects the right one,/ replaces a gasket,/ and gets the job done!" Sharp-eyed readers will notice two turquoise-and-black birds hovering around the site, and the crew soon discovers an egg-filled nest atop a roof set to crown the building. Hank cogitates on how to adjust the plan, and then announces, "C'mon, crew!" leading the creation of an eco-friendly green roof filled with flowers and trees that accommodates both the project and the nest. Signature-style digital vignettes by Biggs (Pigs Dig a Road) make it clear that Hank's canine crew deeply admires their boss. And the book's outcome serves as a cheerful reminder that even meticulous planners can benefit from flexibility and creativity--particularly when the result serves the needs of all parties involved. An afterword includes project instructions. Ages 3--5. Author's agent: Sam Farkas, Jill Grinberg Literary. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Engineering alone can't solve this unusual construction problem. Hank the canine, looming over his three-dog crew, "always knows what to do." The others drive "the dozer, the dump truck, the digger," but Hank scans the blueprints, as well as surveying, measuring, hammering, doing engine repairs, and teaching the others a welding technique. The team members are raising the one-piece roof when they see a nest: Two birds that have been observing the work (flip back to spot them!) have built themselves a home. Hank wants to banish the birds to a distant tree, but surprisingly the crew spontaneously improvises a worker-scarecrow to protect the nest, giving Hank time to notice the eggs inside. Hank rethinks, replans, and graciously thanks the team as the birds enjoy their new green roof (which is made of materials that allow plants to flourish, per the backmatter). Well-chosen rhymes flow naturally and will help beginning readers with tricky words (stuff/rough). In the lively cartoon illustrations, the dogs wear work gloves, work boots, goggles, and hard hats. Orange, red, and yellow complement gray-blue washes. Scale is happily sacrificed to clarity, and the crew's lunch atop a dangling I-beam cleverly references the famous 1932 Rockefeller Center steelworkers photo. Backmatter instructions for making a planter will require adult guidance. Construction fans and environmentalists alike will be hankering for Hank! Readers will eagerly follow along as this kindly, adroit, and eco-friendly builder leads the way.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
