A flatbed arrives at a construction yard and unloads a tiny but talented truck: “Clean and shiny, all brand-new, / with lots of cool attachments, too!” Eager to help, she introduces herself as Kid McGear and asks to be put to work. The five original trucks ask her to move aside while they get a big job done, and she complies. But when Excavator and Bulldozer slide down a steep hillside and get stuck, the new truck quickly devises a plan and goes into action, calling on Dump Truck, Crane, and Cement Mixer to help extricate their old pals. Success! While the story’s closing line celebrates teamwork, this satisfying tale, told in verse couplets, also taps into the basic fact that every little kid wants the respect of the big kids. Ford, who also illustrated Construction Site on Christmas Night (2018) for Rinker’s popular Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series, offers lively, detailed scenes featuring these expressive mechanical characters. A crowd-pleasing picture book for truck fans.

A skid steer named Kid McGear introduces herself to a group of construction vehicles. She is eager to learn and offers to help them. At first, the vehicles don’t think she is strong enough to lend a hand clearing the construction yard. Kid McGear hears a yelp and notices an excavator in big trouble. The perspective of the book’s illustrations changes throughout the narrative, shifting between landscapes, aerial views, and close-ups among others. This feature of the narrative gives it the feeling of constant movement. The book’s construction site characters have vehicle parts which are slightly morphed to give them an animated and lively quality. They also have cheerful and interesting facial expressions. Secondary and neutral colors are consistently used to give the book an earthy look and feel. There is a consistent use of browns and oranges, which work to direct readers’ focus to the construction site. Rinker’s text has a fun rhyming style throughout and its placement on the page directs readers to move their eyes and follow the action.VERDICT This book encourages children to embrace teamwork, help others, and develop unique friendships. Construction fans will welcome this new kid on the block.