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PS
This adventure starts on the title-page spread, where an eighteen-wheeler drives on a winding road during a snowstorm. Turn the page, and--oh, no!--the massive semi "haulin' scrap" has slid off the road and onto its side. Not to worry: a friendly public works employee assures us that "Big Orange," a heavy-duty tow truck, is ready to help. Gall's (Dinotrux, rev. 9/09) text features the mechanical details young gearheads love: "We've got 14 wheels, a boom, a hook, and...Oh yes. A winch! Wait 'til you see how that works." The dynamic illustrations bring readers along for the ride, as our narrator-guide confidently explains each step of the rig rescue process ("Safety first. The driver is OK!"). Big Orange and its burly driver both stand out in the subdued wintry-gray scenes, drawing viewers' attention to the skills necessary to deal with the wreck. Key machines are printed in bold type (there's no glossary), and most are easy to pinpoint in the accompanying illustrations. Eventually, Big Orange heads back out on the slippery, icy roads with the cab in tow. Rubberneckers will appreciate witnessing this big-truck drama from a safe distance.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2021