(2) K-3 Philippa, a pheasant, is "fed up with being nearly knocked pancake-flat" by cars whenever she crosses the road to eat blackberries by the forest where she lives. When her note to the local (human) mayor receives no response, she's inspired by the village's school crossing guard to make herself a yellow vest and a sign to stop vehicles so other critters can safely cross. Fascinated villagers share the brave bird's story in the news, but the mayor isn't impressed--until one night when his cat, Darling Treasure, goes missing and Philippa finds her. As the book's alliterative title suggests, Philippa finally receives a proper crossing guard uniform, and the other animals paint a crosswalk for her. Smith's appealing and uplifting story shows how one individual, even a small one, can make a difference. In a pleasing style reminiscent of G. Brian Karas (The Little Library, rev. 5/21, and others), the mixed-media illustrations in mainly browns and greens depict an idyllic countryside setting. The skillful variation of spot art, full-page illustrations, and spreads helps build excitement, from Philippa's repeated and risky forays out into the road to the search for Darling Treasure, while the matter-of-fact narration and tone reassure readers.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2023

(1) K-3 This story of cooperative problem-solving begins on a crystal-clear summer day as a massive tractor trailer is delivered via barge and tugboat to a small coastal island. Van Dusen's dynamic color-saturated gouache illustrations capture the excitement of the out-of-the-ordinary event, with varying gull's-eye and on-the-ground views. The real drama, however, happens soon after the truck takes to the island's main road: at one particularly tight curve, it jack-knifes, completely blocking the road. (Readers witness the accident, first from inside the cab along with the cartoonily shocked driver, and then harrowingly from the side of the road within inches of the gigantic wheels.) The blocked road is a problem for the four cars in a hurry (two headed north, two south) that can't move around the truck. Van Dusen is in full command of his rhyming text, using rhythm and sound to set the pace and convey mood. His expressive characters add humor to the situation. While the grownups in the cars "stew and steam," the four kid passengers come up with a genius ­solution--temporarily trading cars--that's a testament to island ingenuity and neighborliness. Everyone gets where they need to be--including the truck with its mysterious load, which is later revealed on a festive nighttime double-page spread. In his author's note, Van Dusen tells the real story about a truck accident on a Maine island: "I changed a few of the details and added some new fictional characters, [but] this is overall a true story." And it's one that is given life by a skillful storyteller.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2022

(3) K-3 I Like to Read series. There's heavy traffic on the roads and on the water, but everyone must "Stop" to make way for nine little web-footed pedestrians. The text features nine distinct words and helpful repetition ("Cars go. Trucks go. Fire trucks go") and is well supported by the lively illustrations for a satisfyingly simple story. The vehicles' attention-getting colors and patterns offer lots to notice on repeat readings. Transportation buffs will get a lot of mileage from this zippy early reader.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Rick Rusek is a traffic-pattern savant. He lives in Los Angeles, where he studies the streets and highways of the metropolis looking for ways to ease traffic. When Rick becomes involved in a street-art project with his friend Mila Herrera, he realizes it's his chance to secretly implement some of his traffic solutions and in so doing boost his parents' catering business and solve their financial troubles. An eccentric cast of supporting characters surrounds Rick, including Mila and her extended family. As Rick works on his project, he learns that his neighbors and friends have hidden hobbies and talents (Mila's mom is a member of a traffic-disrupting guerrilla bicycle club; her abuelita belongs to a club of senior citizens who weave erratically through neighborhood traffic, determined to slow down other drivers and protect pedestrians) and that he himself is gifted at more than just moving cars around the city. This is a quintessentially Southern California story, in which highway traffic over the Sepulveda Pass is more of an antagonist than even an earthquake. Uss (The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle, rev. 7/18) invites her readers to suspend disbelief just long enough for Rick to save the day.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(3) PS Illustrated by Jennifer Yerkes. "Red light, green li-" reads a dozen-odd right-hand pages; turning the page reveals the concluding letters to each "li-": “-on” (a dapper green lion prepares to cross the street), "-ghtning!" (lightning spooks the lion), etc. Will the lion ever get across the street? An omniscient narrator ("Some days are not like most days") walks readers through this suspenseful word game, tastefully illustrated with pastel and brush-pen line art.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) PS Harper's quirky story stars two traffic lights and a fleet of construction vehicles. When Little Green shouts "GO!" Bulldozer, Dump Truck, Mixer, and friends get to work. But without a way to not go, things are soon out of control. A red "stranger" rolls onto the site, and catastrophe is averted--eventually. Construction enthusiasts will slow down for the lively dialogue and action-packed pages.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(2) PS Illustrated by Kurt Cyrus. In a lively multitasking picture book, a young boy tells what happens when an ice-cream truck breaks down, blocking his street. A mail truck shows up and wants to get by, soon followed by a parade of others. The rhyming text provides commentary for sorting out the entertaining traffic jam in the double-page spreads done in bright digital art.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2013

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Bei Lynn. Translation adapted by Jamie White. In this Taiwanese import, "supersaurus" Gus traipses around the city picking up schoolkids. He's beloved by all, but his heavy-footed-ness creates giant potholes and traffic snarls. After being pulled from duty, Gus finds a new lease on life. The story's mild suspense is just right for the audience. Scribbly watercolor and pencil illustrations have a child-drawn look.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2013

(4) 4-6 Understanding Global Issues series. The problems of car-based transportation, along with public-transportation and city-planning solutions, are discussed in this thorough overview of an under-explored topic. Sidebars, minibiographies, graphs, charts, and color photos break up the text, although the design remains rather dreary. Back matter includes a timeline, "concept web," quiz, and websites. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) YA Seventeen-year-old Del is running away--actually, driving away--from the latest in a string of foster homes. She's barely left before she finds herself stuck in a massive all-day traffic jam. Alternating chapters contain a one-woman play about a traffic jam written and performed by a twenty-five-year-old Del. The two voices mesh neatly; the story is moving--and given its static setting, that's quite an achievement.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2003

(3) PS Illustrated by Edward Miller. In this inventive alphabet book, each letter stands for a particular vehicle or road sign intended for a driver. Pearson takes her time with each letter, creating unlikely poetry with her descriptions: e.g., a forklift has "long, steel fingers"; a quarry excavator "drop[s] rocks like crumbs." Miller's flat geometric images are inviting.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) PS Illustrated by Eric Beddows. A baby fighting the sleep that his father wants regards the busy street below during a night snowstorm. Short phrases of rhyme and near-rhyme suggest intermittent dozing and viewing as the scene below changes, even though the perspective remains the same. Double-page views are illustrated in warm, soft-edged colors, with a sleeper-garbed baby in various poses outside the street frame.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) PS Illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia. This well-designed trip through a busy city street is a rich visual treat for all who venture in. Hand-lettered text is incorporated into funky retro art to capture the vibrant glory and clutter of the city, highlighted by the striking use of black for roads and backgrounds. The lively, rhyming text will captivate vehicle lovers, who will encounter trucks, buses, and cars aplenty.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin