Tonka Big Book Of Trucks Hardcover Book [Hardcover]

Patricia Relf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Tonka

Full-color illustrations of more than forty real trucks show the exciting jobs that trucks do, whether they are on a farm or fighting a fire.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3?Basic information and full-color illustrations introduce 40 different trucks, from backhoes to shuttle transports. Double-page spreads depict four trucks within a scene: e.g., "Building a House," "In the City," and "At the Seaport." The following spread shows each vehicle separately, with a paragraph of description. In general, this format works well enough, as readers are able to see trucks in action, along with the people who work with them, and then turn the page for details. In some cases, scale is misleading: a gantry crane and forklift are in scale in the general seaport scene, but not in the captioned illustrations that follow. Each vehicle bears the "TonkaR" logo, though they are depicted as real, working trucks in the illustrations. Like the toys, however, many are simplified: there is no exhaust pipe on the bulldozer, for instance, and not a single truck has a side-view mirror. The text is straightforward and simple, offering just enough detail for youngsters to understand the basic workings of each vehicle. Most terms are smoothly described within the text, but a few ("winch cab," "payload bay...") are not. The wide variety of equipment and pleasing format will attract young enthusiasts, though this title does not quite match the exciting visual appeal of The Big Book of Things That Go (DK, 1994) or the lively, informative text of Hope Marston's Big Rigs (Cobblehill, 1993).?Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library, OR
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. For all those preschool fans of trucks and heavy vehicles, this large-size, brightly colored book is packed with technical information and clear illustrations. There are 10 chapters, including "Building a House," "On the Highway," "In the City," "On the Farm," and "At the Space Shuttle." For each of the 10 sites a double-page spread shows and describes the trucks and their drivers (men and women) working together; on the next two pages, there are clear, detailed pictures and descriptions of the particular vehicles, from bulldozer and roller to tractor and ambulance: what they do and how they do it. Almost every vehicle has the Tonka logo, and the pictures and the endpapers openly promote that popular line of toy vehicles. Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel Books (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590845721
• ISBN-13: 978-0590845724
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #517,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We read this book ad nauseum, September 16, 2001

By 

Jeff R. Montgomery - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tonka Big Book Of Trucks Hardcover Book (Hardcover)

This is my 2 y/o son's favorite book EVER! We have to read it every night and take it on all our overnight trips. Needless to say, even he has the text memorized. Yes, the Tonka logo shamelessly displayed on every truck is a bit much, but I've found this book to include the widest variety of trucks. These are displayed nicely in their appropriate "scenes", and the information on each truck's capabilities is a great learning tool. My son is so thrilled when we come across these machines at work in our day-to day life, and he couldn't wait to go to the State Fair. It's been the best money I've spent on a book for him yet, even though I wish we could skip it and perhaps read Stellaluna instead just one night.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful pictures, LOTS of trucks!, October 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tonka Big Book Of Trucks Hardcover Book (Hardcover)

I gave this book to my son when he turned 2. Fortunately it was the last thing he opened because he did not want to do anything but look at those trucks! He is now 3 1/2 and it is still a favorite book. The pictures are big and bright and there are many kinds of trucks to delight the children. The accompaning text may be a little more than a 2 year old needs, but it is nice to be able to grow with the book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of details to keep you interested, July 7, 2001

By 

Annette Doyle (Dripping Springs, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tonka Big Book Of Trucks Hardcover Book (Hardcover)

My son has loved this book since he got it a year ago when he was 1.5 years old. I have found as time goes on he always finds new things to ask about - each page is packed with detail, but not so busy as to be a turnoff. This book has provoked alot of discussion about how houses are built, how roads are made, what happens on a farm etc. There is enough there to keep kids interested for a long time!!