Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Mama and Toad, traveling in Mama's tow truck, help out all of their friends in this rhyming read-aloud. As Mama and Toad travel along the road, they encounter friends who have a variety of problems (Goat out of gas, Fox with a flat, Moose in the muck) and are able to help everyone. In return, they are thanked by all of their friends with a party. Mama and Toad spread goodwill to all they meet. The snappy, rhyming verse could easily become a participatory storytelling in any preschool or kindergarten class. The digitally created characters in the colorful illustrations are sweetly expressive. VERDICT Shaskan's message of friendship and helping each other would be a great discussion starter for any early childhood class.-Susan Small, Salve Regina University Library, Newport, RI © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Mama and Toad and their bright red tow truck save several friends from roadside mishaps. "Mama and Toad out on the road. / Go, Mama, go! Go, little toad! / Why, who's that friend / around the bend? / Alas! Alas! / It's a // Goat out of gas!" Mama and Toad know just what to do to get the driver of the truck labeled "Bob's Bounce Houses" back on the road. They also encounter a "Fox with a flat" and a "Moose in the muck" whose balloons and pizza (both also from Bob's) need to be delivered. Shaskan's digital illustrations have a Saturday-morning-cartoon look, with their bright, flat colors and simple backgrounds. In a nice touch, small Toad, who uses a car seat, is shown getting their hands dirty with each rescue, pouring the gas, jacking up the car, even removing the lug nuts. In the end, the toads and their friends wind up in the same place: a party thanking the two for all their help. That's a puzzler since not only do the toads encounter their friends when they are going in opposite directions on the road, but their friends were getting ready for the party before the toads had helped any of them. Plus, the rhythm of the repeated refrain rests on those reading aloud forcing the enunciation of all four syllables of "delivery."Those training to take over the family business, like Toad, may find this amusing, but others should steer clear. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
