10/22/2018
In his children’s book debut, professional wrestler Cena kicks off a series about a family of monster trucks. Elbow Grease—’Bo for short—is the smallest truck in the entire Demolition Derby, and he has a battery that needs to be recharged daily. When the gumptious little blue monster truck decides he’s all in for the big win, he’s far away from the nearest plug. It would take a miracle to save the day at the big rally—but maybe a bolt from the blue will suffice? Cena hits the positivity and self-esteem messages too squarely (“He always tried his best and never, ever gave up”; “If you only stick with what you’re good at, you’ll never learn anything”), but jaunty back-and-forth banter among the brothers should please boisterous truck enthusiasts. McWilliams’s detailed characters appeal without being overly cutesy—readers can see every groove in those humongous tires. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)
When the soggy days of September give way to the mists of October (are they weather-related or simply pumpkin spice vapors?), it’s time to cuddle up with your favorite little reader and explore some new picture books. Indeed, if you’re the CSO (Chief Storytelling Officer) in your family, you’ll definitely be interested in the list […]
Elbow Grease is a little monster truck with a BIG problem. He’s the runt of the family, always trailing behind his big, bad, brave brothers. But the upcoming demolition derby just might be place where he can finally prove to himself—and everyone else!—that excitement and enthusiasm are just as important as horsepower. Elbow Grease believes […]
There’s something special about a good picture book. The combination of beautiful art and self-contained stories make them both great for little kids and an art form adults can appreciate, too. While 2018 was host to dozens of beautiful new picture books, there were some that just stood out, whether it be via stunning illustrations […]