Dump Truck Duck
Written by Megan E. Bryant
Illustrated by Jo de Ruiter
Albert Whitman & Co.    5/01/2016
978-0-8075-1736-9
32 pages     Ages 4—8

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“The work is hard. The work is rough.
But ducks can take it! Ducks are tough!

“It’s time to put on your hard hats and get to the construction site. Dump Truck Duck and his friends Dozer Duck and Digger Duck are breaking ground to build a new playground! As they dig and haul and clear the mud, they help one another overcome obstacles in their path—from mud mountains to broken down trucks. But no matter what happens, these plucky ducks are determined to get the job done!” [inside jacket]

Review
Dump Truck Duck and his construction crew head towards the day’s job—building a playground. Outfitted in a blue dump truck, Duck and his crew must first clean up the area, which is full of trash and leftovers. Into Dump Truck Duck’s truck bed the trash goes, ready to take to the dump. Dump Truck Duck’s pals, Dozer Duck—driving a bulldozer—and Digger Duck—mastering a big yellow digger—help get the area clean and smooth before actually building the playground.

Young boys who love trucks (most all do), will love Dump Truck Duck’s story. Each duck wears a safety vest and hardhat. The only thing missing is eye gear, to protect the duck’s tiny little eyes. The colorful vehicles look exactly as they should. Children who love trucks and diggers and bulldozers, will immediately recognize their favorite construction vehicle. The only problem is with poor Dump Truck Duck’s dump truck—it breaks down. Teamwork gets the truck moving once more.

The illustrations are fun, detailed images of a construction site transforming from a mound of junk to a pristine playground for all ducks and their families. Ducks work together planting flowers and assembling swings, slides, and other fun equipment for the little ducks. A lovely creek flows by the park, perfect for an afternoon dip, or, in case of construction ducks, a cool dip after a hard day’s work. Kids will love all the action happening in each spread.

Done reading? Play a fun, educational game using Dump Truck Duck’s colorful, richly detailed spreads. Have your little one find the different vehicles, tools, and playground gear. Ask them why Dump Truck Duck’s truck breaks down. (Hint: Duck will answer that question in tomorrow’s interview.)

The text rhymes beautifully. The meter makes the lines easy to read aloud and quite fun.

“Then dirty dicks jump in the creek
to wash each feather, foot, and beak.
They flap their wings; they dive and dip.
They belly flop and triple flip!”

Dump Truck Duck is a fun, imaginative construction site story for young children. Girls will love this story, but it will really hit home with young boys fascinated with trucks and constructing something from nothing. Dump Truck Duck, with its playfulness and imaginative build, makes a wonderful story hour tale or an afternoon treat for your truck-loving child.

DUMP TRUCK DUCK. Text copyright © 2016 by Megan E. Bryant. Illustrations copyright © 2016 by Jo de Ruiter. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Albert Whitman & Co., New York, NY.

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Find Dump Truck Duck on Goodreads HERE.
Interview with Dump Truck Duck:  http://bit.ly/DumpTruckDuckQuacksUps

Megan E. Bryant:  http://www.meganebryant.com/
Follow on Twitter          @meganebryant

Jo de Ruiter:  http://www.joderuiter.co.uk/
Follow on Twitter          @JodeRuiter

Albert Whitman & Co:  http://www.albertwhitman.com/
Follow on Twitter          @AlbertWhitman

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Reprinted with permission from DUMP TRUCK DUCK © 2016 by Megan E. Bryant, Albert Whitman & Co., Illustrations © 2016 by Jo de Ruiter.

Follow the Book Tour — Next Stop: Kid Lit Reviews: Interview with Mr. Dump Truck Duck

Copyright © 2016 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews. All Rights Reserved

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Full Disclosure: Dump Truck Duck by Megan E. Bryant & Jo de Ruiter, and received from Albert Whitman & Co., is in exchange NOT for a positive review, but for an HONEST review. The opinions expressed are my own and no one else’s. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Dump Truck Duck
Written by Megan E. Bryant
Illustrated by Jo de Ruiter
Albert Whitman & Co. 5/01/2016
9780807517369