Today's book already had me smiling before I got my hands on it. Because of the title? A little. Because of the cover art? It is busy, isn't it? This time, it was because of my husband. (*wave to him if he reads this*) Here's the short story...(not super interesting, but I remember the moment)
I'd been receiving lots of news on spooky books. Scary reads. Serious dramas. Nonfiction thoughts. Yep, everything in a more grounded or darker direction thanks to the approaching Fall months. Then, I got an email. My husband happened to be standing nearby, and I called over to him..."Hey, I have a fun sounding read... Pigs Dig A Road." He turned and looked more than a bit skeptical...not convinced. Which made me realize how ridiculous it sounded...and that put a huge smile on my face.
In other words, I picked this one up knowing it was going to swim or drown completely. Let's find out which way it goes!
PIGS DIG A ROAD
by Carrie Finison
Illustrated by Brian Biggs
G.P Putman's Sons
Picture Book
48 pages
ages 3 to 7
A rhyming picture book featuring pig construction workers that's perfect for fans of Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site.
In her workshop, late one night, Rosie plans by hardhat light a brand-new road from here to there to reach the Hamshire County fair.
Construction crew chief Rosie and her team are building a new road to the Hamshire County Fair. It’s time to put on hard hats and boots, grab their hammers and stakes, and, of course, bring out the big trucks: bulldozers, excavators, pavers, rollers, and more!
Unfortunately, work with Rosie’s crew doesn’t always go as planned, and Curly, Pinky, and Stinky end up making one huge mess. Rosie is there to save the day, but she can’t do such a big job all by herself. The county fair is starting soon, and there’s only one way to get the road done on time . . . teamwork!
In her workshop, late one night, Rosie plans by hardhat light a brand-new road from here to there to reach the Hamshire County fair.
Construction crew chief Rosie and her team are building a new road to the Hamshire County Fair. It’s time to put on hard hats and boots, grab their hammers and stakes, and, of course, bring out the big trucks: bulldozers, excavators, pavers, rollers, and more!
Unfortunately, work with Rosie’s crew doesn’t always go as planned, and Curly, Pinky, and Stinky end up making one huge mess. Rosie is there to save the day, but she can’t do such a big job all by herself. The county fair is starting soon, and there’s only one way to get the road done on time . . . teamwork!
MY TIDBITS
Construction pigs? You bet! This crew not only delights with antics, energy, humor, and heart but slides in a bit more knowledge on how roads are created.
The fair is coming, and Rosie realizes that there will have to be a road to make sure the visitors can get there. Bright and early, she sits down and drafts the plans. After printing, she wakes her crew, and they are off to get the project done. From marking to measuring, from digging to road grating, every step needs to be completed, one after the other. But mistakes, a bee, and other unexpected issues might put a wrench in their plans.
While young construction, tractor, and building fans are obviously going to enjoy this one, other readers will also get caught up in the fun. These pigs are on a mission, and they know what they are doing. Well, at least, Rosie does. The text flows along with enjoyable rhyme and keeps the plot clear and moving, while the illustrations add havoc, lightness, and play. This is a busy crew, whose determination inspires and will have readers wanting to jump in and build the road, too. There's never a boring moment, and the tale packs more than a couple surprises, guaranteeing that it isn't a mundane read.
Humor mixes well into the hard work, and the illustrations do a lovely job at adding the right details to make every scene sit. It's smile-worthy just to gaze at them to see what's happening, since there is quite a bit going on.
But my favorite aspect of this read is the construction information. It goes through the general flow of steps in creating a road. From planning to painting, the various steps and machinery demonstrate how much work and time (and care) goes into a road. Don't expect details, though, because that's not what this one is about (and wouldn't fit the age group, either). It sticks to basis knowledge, and that works wonderfully. All along, the energy and humor hold strong to create a fun read, which will have listeners smiling and giggling, too.
And here she is...
Carrie Finison writes children’s books with humor and heart, including Dozens of Doughnuts; Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story; Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School; and Don’t Hug Doug, which was named an ALA Notable Children’s Book in 2022. Her newest book is Pigs Dig a Road, a humorous story about road construction and teamwork. She lives in the Boston area. Visit her online at www.carriefinison.com , or follow her on social media @CarrieFinison.
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