Review: Old MacDonald Had A Truck by Steve Goetz

OLD MACDONALD HAD A TRUCK

by Steve Goetz

Illustrated by Eda Kaban

Chronicle Books

Picture Book

44 pages

ages 4 to 6

"A new twist on a classic story and song, this book is just pure fun." — School Library Journal

Old MacDonald has some new friends on the farm: Old MacDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O. And on that farm he had a...TRUCK?! With a DIG DIG here and a SCOOP SCOOP there, this classic folk song just got revved up! Beloved machines—the excavator, dump truck, bulldozer, and more—will have vehicle enthusiasts of all ages reading and singing along.

• With colorful, fun illustrations, and subtle themes of gender equality, both parents and kids will enjoy this story over and over again
• Ideal for family and elementary school story time
• Steve Goetz was inspired to write his debut picture book, Old MacDonald Had a Truck, after his son began to sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" with alternative lyrics

Fans of Old MacDonald Had a Boat and Old MacDonald's Things That Go will love this entertaining read (and sing-aloud book) with a surprise ending.

MY TIDBITS

This is one kids are going to enjoy. Although taking a twist on the well-known children's song is nothing new, this book does it with twists and turns, which surprise and create giggles and smiles. Plus, there's a little bit of a learn effect as well.

The text is extremely simple and invites for kids to 'read' or sing along. Then, every other page or so, the thing Old MacDonald has on his farm is introduced...and it's something which will make especially construction and truck fans' hearts beat faster. Old MacDonald might have a farm, but he's on a mission to build something much more glorious. It's hard not to cheer with him and the super sweet animals as they work and work to make a huge dream come true. Add the nice, large letters, E-I-E-I-O, which appear over and over again, and kids are on their way to learning a few vowels too.

The illustrations make this book shine as much as the construction fun. Each page is bright and packed with life. The animals alone draw smiles as they run around and do different tasks, which adds to the humor. Plus, it turns a bit into a guessing game as to what Old MacDonald is really up to. The end is definitely a surprise, one that puts Mrs. Old MacDonald in a wonderful light.

We thoroughly enjoyed diving into this one and believe it will be a hit, especially among groups of kids as a read-aloud.


And here he is...

Steve Goetz was inspired to write his debut picture book after his son began to sing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" with alternative lyrics. He lives with his family in San Francisco.