Food Trucks!

April 21, 2014
Todd follows 2003’s Monster Trucks! with an ode to a category of vehicles that wasn’t even in the public consciousness when the previous book was published. Now, food trucks are omnipresent in many American cities, offering grilled cheese, tacos, and more for citizens on the go. Todd profiles 14 vehicles, giving each a name, brief poem, and large anthropomorphic portrait in a bold cartooning style that recalls the urban-themed books of Brian Biggs and Robert Neubecker. There’s Mr. Cobb, a “green powered” salad truck with tomatoes and broccoli bursting from its roof and what appears to be a kale tailfin (kalefin?). On the other end of the spectrum, a powder blue ice-cream truck, Ice Queen, grins manically (“You’re in luck!/ The ice cream truck/ Is heading to your neighborhood”). Floating cloud-shaped captions share tidbits about food-themed holidays, potentially unfamiliar dishes (like couscous and naan), and various real-life food trucks. While a few of the rhymes feel forced (“Try the samosa/ A pastry that most love”), there’s plenty of personality in Todd’s quirky fleet of trucks. Ages 4–8. Agent: Jason Grode, Grodehouse.

May 1, 2014
Who's hungry?In this introduction to the world of food trucks, appealing, cartoon illustrations are served up with poems describing the various delicacies and garnished with facts regarding each mouthwatering morsel and delectable cuisine. From breakfast to burger, cheese to chowder, sushi to curry and falafel to taco, foods from across the United States and around the world are covered here in colorful spreads; inked and digitally colored, each depicts an inventive-looking vehicle that creatively expresses its contents and is chock-full of interesting things to nibble. Though not all youngsters will be familiar with the concept of food trucks, those who are will readily embrace this selection, as will children who have already read their way through other vehicle books. While the poems themselves are at times a bit forced, many are funny and descriptive, and the facts included are whimsical and informative. It is the pictures that are really the focus here; detailed and engaging, they'll draw in reluctant readers, and burgeoning food enthusiasts will find many a truck to appreciate as well-just check out Bubba Q, who sports a pair of horns and a "nose" ring hanging over its grille.A tasty treat on trucks and takeout. (Picture book. 3-7)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 1-3-Fourteen mouth-watering specialties are featured in this book-with specialized trucks to serve them up: a hamburger truck, a falafel truck, a sushi truck, and more. Each one appears on a spread, with a large, detailed, digitally created picture of the vehicle; a free-verse description of the food; and assorted facts or definitions displayed in "clouds." There is a National Cheeseburger Day (September 18), ancient Romans are believed to be the first to make a cooked bread-and-cheese sandwich, and pretzels are likely the world's oldest snack, signifying oneness when eaten at weddings. Pick a favorite from breakfast through dinner with a diversity of dishes from various cultures: a side of taters, couscous, grilled provolone, chowder, chicken tikka, or a bean burrito. There's also "Sprinkles," the cupcake truck, and "Ice Queen," the mobile server of a popular cold treat. Readers will be inspired to write a poem or design a truck for a favorite food that's "rib-stickin', finger-lickin', or toothpick-needin'." This is an unusual addition with possibilities for creative expression.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
In this poetry picture book, specialty food trucks bring tasty food to town: falafel, hamburgers, sushi, ice cream, barbecue, cupcakes, and more. The poems feature puns and rhymes; visual humor in the cartoon illustrations reinforces the idea that you can get almost anything made to order on a food truck. A smattering of interesting facts appear in cloud-shaped sidebars on each spread.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)