Staccato, clipped quickness and plenty of onomatopoeia-”VZZZZZZZZZZT”-make this a read-aloud success. Who knew ice could be this much fun?” — Kirkus Reviews
“The colorful, grinning Zamboni is whimsical but also educational.” — School Library Journal
“This book [is] as much fun to read aloud as it is to look at.” — The Horn Book
“The droll, succinct text is well matched with the appealing watercolor-and-gouache artwork…the illustrations personify the machine while showing how it cleans up the rough ice and lays down a smooth surface.” — Booklist
“Between sound effects, a cranky arena announcer, and the Zamboni’s wise-guy narration…read-aloud sessions should be as smooth as ice.” — Publishers Weekly
Praise for I’M BRAVE!: “This boisterous story pays homage to the importance of fire fighters-and their engines-while maintaining plenty of action and a sense of fun.” — School Library Journal
Praise for I’M BRAVE!: “Will satisfy young gearheads and future firefighters alike” — Publishers Weekly
Praise for I’M BRAVE!: “For those kids who dream of the station, the fire pole and the calls, this will be an exciting ride.” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for I’M BRAVE!: “Great fun for reading aloud.” — Booklist
Praise for I’M BAD!: “Vibrant artwork done in bold shades of green, orange, and violet equal the swaggering text in tone, energy, and humor. Whether devoured during a boisterous storytime or consumed independently, children will eat this one up.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for I’M BAD!: “The high-energy illustrations and macho narrator’s words create a rowdy, crowd-pleasing whole. Children will delight in the dinosaur’s wild expressions and the dynamic text, filled with comic-book sound effects.” — Booklist
Praise for I’M DIRTY!: “The short, choppy phrases, filled with sound, are just right for jolly, raucous read-alouds: “Ugh! Arrrrrrrgh! Mmmmmmmmmph! Tim-berrrrrrrr!” — Booklist (starred review)
Praise for I’M DIRTY!: “Full of kid appeal, this is sure to be a favorite with reluctant readers, those who revel in mud and all who love trucks.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Praise for I’M DIRTY!: “Energetic illustrations capture the mucky goings on with a large dollop of humor…abundant sound effects make this a high spirited read-aloud.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for I’M DIRTY!: “With its saucy tone and dynamic color cartoon illustrations, this picture book exudes energy.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for I STINK!: “It will easily become a favorite of younger readers” — New York Times Book Review
Praise for I STINK!: “A hilarious homage to an unsung hero.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for I’M MIGHTY!: “Young Swabbies will be delighted” — Kirkus Reviews
Praise for I’M MIGHTY!: “Kids will happily climb aboard.” — Publishers Weekly
2015-06-29
Adding to their list of many vehicular tributes, the McMullans take on an often overlooked large machine—the Zamboni. Full of bravado and swagger, the Zamboni zooms out after the hockey game's first period ready to smooth the ice. However, it has to compete with a big-talking announcer, who starts shouting on the title-page spread. "WHOA! / HE'S DOWN! / HE'S DOWN! / …. / Nobody can skate / on ice this rough." Not to worry. The Zamboni is here. The announcer continues to egg it on: "Zamboni machine, ya / move like a turtle. / Look—the clock's ticking! / Hit the gas! Finish up / so we can get back to the game!" A Zamboni's job can't be rushed. It needs to thoroughly check the ice before deciding how much to shave and then: SHAZAMBONI! The ice is clean again. The Zamboni explains all of its resurfacing components: the augers, the blade, the wash water, the vacuum, and more. But it's a race against the clock. The Zamboni only has 18 minutes to do the job. Luckily, it keeps its cool. Staccato, clipped quickness and plenty of onomatopoeia—"VZZZZZZZZZZT"—make this a read-aloud success. Who knew ice could be this much fun? (Picture book. 4-8)
