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Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Three Cheers for Kid McGear, written by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by A G Ford. Chroniicle Books, Raincoast. 2019. $23.99 ages 3 and up

"The tarp comes off.
And there, SURPRISE!
The crew cannot believe 
their eyes:
Five trucks STOP! 
and turn and stare
at the tiny truck that's 
sitting there. 

Clean and shiny, 
all brand-new .... "

This new addition to the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series will certainly please fans of the five construction vehicles they have come to know in earlier books.

Kid McGear is new to their site, and the others are not duly impressed. The skid steer may have gumption, but Kid is obviously small and cannot compete in terms of strength and workload with any other vehicle there.

“But you don’t look quite strong enough
to jump in here and do your share...
maybe... just stay over there?”

Kid doesn't get upset. She understands and sits back to watch. That works, until help is needed. As Bulldozer and Excavator lose traction and slide down a muddy, and very steep, slope, it's Kid to the rescue. In a series of well-thought-out moves, Skid brings all of her skills to the forefront, and manages to save the day. It's what all young readers are hoping for.

"Kid rolls downhill, brave and sure,
and wraps each truck, so they're secure.

Kid's giant scissors - power shears -
cut tangled limbs. Then her blade clears.
"Now, we need something," says the Kid,
"to help make sure that they don't skid."

With help from the others, and under Kid McGear's direction, Bulldozer and Excavator are soon back to work. Their crew now numbers six, as they all welcome the tiny and tenacious skid steer.

"Now Kid McGear has joined the crew.
Five old friends - and someone new!

SIX friends in the construction yard,
big and small, all working hard ... "

A.G. Ford is new to the series, but doesn't miss a beat in presenting familiar characters and settings for young fans. The expressive vehicles, the warmth of the palette, and the  detailed, double page spreads offer appeal and call for careful observation.                                                                                    

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