[Reviewed from Copy Courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers]
Bulldozer Helps Out has construction vehicles, a little one who wants to help but is told they’re too little, and KITTENS! The story is sweet, surprising, and will give both you and your children a case of the warm fuzzies — even after you’ve read the book 823 times. It very well may be impossible to read this book without saying, “AWWWWWWWW!” or only reading it once. Bulldozer Helps Out is an especially perfect book for kind, sensitive souls.
It is just another day at the construction site and Bulldozer wants to help! He watches and watches.. and watches all of the other construction equipment get to do work. He eagerly and excitedly offers to help the bigger construction vehicles, but they keep telling him that he’s too little. It’s heartbreaking and a feeling that everyone young and old can immediately identify.
From Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. Image Courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Then Crane remembers that there’s an area that needs to be cleared and flattened. Bulldozer is thrilled and sets off to work. He goes at full force, but stops when he sees something surprising.
From Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. Image Courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
He hunkers down and hours go by with just his motor humming.
When the big construction vehicles see that he hasn’t done ANYTHING that they wanted him to do they’re disappointed and go to do the job themselves. Roller tells Bulldozer to get out of the way, but Bulldozer tells them to “SHHHHH!” The big construction vehicles are indignant! But upon closer inspection they find that Bulldozer isn’t being rude, he’s protecting a mother cat and her sleeping kittens!
The big construction vehicles wonder who is going to take care of those kittens, but we all know that Bulldozer is best for this job.
Bulldozer Helps Out does an excellent job of showing a young male being compassionate and also being given the responsibility of caregiver. The role of taking care of babies is declared a, “rough, tough job,” without irony and the story closes with taking care of young ones as respected work. It’s refreshing and wonderful to see this being modeled for young boys.
Rohmann’s block print artwork with dramatic black lines and bright colors makes the story particularly outstanding. The backgrounds feel rich but never too busy, making it easy for even the littlest ones to follow along. The construction vehicle’s friendly faces and expressive eyebrows make them all instantly likeable.
This is an endearing and fun book to read again and again and again. Come for the construction and stay for the kittens! Bulldozer Helps Out is a heartwarming and uplifting read. My two sons are enamored with this book and we will all happily climb on the couch or before bed and read it again and again and again — and it makes everyone feel so happy.
Recommended Ages 4 to 7. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. May 2017. 40 pages. ISBN: 978-1481458948. Fiction
Where to Get it:
- [Affiliate Link]: Amazon.com
- [My Favorite Bookstore]: Addendum Books
- [Library]: Worldcat.org
Author/Illustrator Websites:
- Author: Candace Fleming
- Illustrator: Eric Rohmann
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Where Obtained: I received a review copy from the publisher. No other compensation was received. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
FTC Disclosures: Some of the links in the post above are Amazon affiliate links and others are IndieBound affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase something, I will receive an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Which goes to fund my family’s picture book habit. It’s a vicious cycle, but we manage. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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