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Edward, a curious young dog and aspiring firefighter, visits the firehouse with his friend, Judy. Edward and Judy practice with the fire fighting Dalmatians in this gentle, satisfying, humorous look at firefighters.

Five ducks ride on bicycles for an apple-picking adventure. The rhyming text and gentle illustrations create a playful, satisfying, everyday adventure.

Two boys with toys begin a contest, pitting shark and train to see who will win the various contests. As the challenges grow, so does the size and perspective of the illustrations until the boys end for lunch. The portrayal of children’s imaginative play is spot-on.

Sheep climbs on the tractor while Farmer Dougal sleeps, making the sound of the engine as he sits behind the wheel. Other farm animals join them, each adding their voices until the cacophony awakens the farmer. Colorful, comic illustration and onomatopoeia encourage participation.

Owen Jester finally captures the biggest frog in the world and names him Tooley Graham, but Owen has an even bigger secret — after hearing a crash in the night, he discovers that a two-passenger submarine that has fallen off a passing train.. What Owen and his buddies along with a know-it-all girl do with that secret creates a memorable adventure, deftly told.

A large format is used for detailed, expressive illustrations to create a portrait of a contemporary farm. When combined with lyrical language, the changing seasons, information about planting and animals, and farm life are successfully presented.

A junkyard bulldog helps a small hamster build his racer to compete in a hot rod happening. The small rodent is asked to choose from a range of components as the car comes together — and ultimately takes the prize. Snappy language and repetition combine with engaging illustrations as the smallest critter wins the race to become the Hot Rod Hamster.

Millions of years ago, huge, hungry prehistoric ‘dinotrux’ ruled the world. A terrible storm caused some dinotrux to seek better weather. Those that shed their “misbehaving ways” over the millennia are still on the job today. This imaginative take on trucks and dinosaurs is sure to make readers young and old view subjects anew while making them laugh out loud.

In this latest installment of the ever-pink and imaginative rodent, Babymouse, she discovers she needs help from a pal to make her soap box car. However, at the derby, it is Wilson who needs help. It’s Babymouse to the rescue! Pink is used successfully to define the fantasy in the otherwise black and white cartoons in this ever-fresh graphic novel series.

Andy Shane has only two goals. One was to have the best decorated bike in the Home Sweet Home parade and the other is to be a hero. Both seem unlikely — but when the unexpected happens, ordinary boys become heroes. Andy and his friends are likeable and the action believable in this easier to read novel.

Move over Mother Goose! These cheerfully illustrated ditties not only take off from the earlier rhymes, but add a decidedly contemporary feel with likely appeal especially for truck and grit lovers. The rhymes can be shared aloud or even read aloud with more traditional offerings.

Hard hat Pete and his dump truck dutifully execute their work, from hauling rocks to traveling to another worksite. Other trucks they meet along the way have personalities as well, shown in crisply lined illustrations on sturdy pages and described in spritely, repetitive text.

A group of firefighters respond to an apartment building and save its residents — including a small cat. The rhythm and rhyme along with brightly hued illustrations in a larger format make this ever-appealing subject satisfying and accessible.

Otis, a small tractor, becomes despondent when he is replaced by a larger, more modern tractor. Even his friend, a once lonely calf, can’t stir Otis — that is, until the calf becomes stuck in a pond of mud and only small, brave Otis can save her. A limited palette and onomatopoeic language create an old-fashioned feeling and completely satisfying book.

Down, down, down…now off we go! begins a journey on city subways from Washington DC to Moscow and more. This short, fantastic, colorfully illustrated trip ends with a brief description of the real transit systems described.

A train of children “chuff” and “choo choo” down the tracks, through a tunnel, and into the sun — until they get to the beach. “Hooray!”

What better way for a family to travel to grandma’s house than by jumping in their yellow car? Though the town, over the crosswalk, down the hill — to their destination: “Beep! Beep!”

Before the barn can be razed on Merryhill Farm, Charlie and his grandfather restore the old dump truck that Charlie so loves. Not only does Dumpy the Dumptruck prove his worth, readers will appreciate that old isn’t always bad!

Readers follow a car from the factory where it’s manufactured to a family driving and maintaining it; through an accident (uh-oh!), towing, recycling, and a new car built. Simple language and crisp illustrations show the process. (Astute readers will notice the wheel on the right side as the author/illustrator is from England).

Just when the five firefighters are getting ready to eat their dinner, an alarm sends them out to rescue a family and their cat. The small size, lots of onomatopoeic language, and a diverse cast of firefighters make this contemporary book even more appealing.

Not all pirates did their dirty work on the sea and not all of them were men. The stories in history and lore of the Sea Queens are presented in an evocative format with bold illustrations, separating fact from fiction.

Poppa worries that the family’s old car won’t make it, but the children convince him otherwise and so begins the summer outing — a real celebration of family and fun and even the old family car!

Ralph is a mouse who speaks human and lives at the Mountain View Inn run by Ryan’s family. The fun starts when Ralph’s motorcycle breaks and he convinces Ryan to take him to a mysterious place called school. Characters come to life through the lively narration.

Unlike the arrogant, large dump truck, Little Blue Truck always has time to greet the animals in and around the farm. So when both get stuck in the mud, the animals respond to Little Blue Truck’s plea for help. Cooperation abounds in this rhyming story — ideal for reading aloud.