Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

It's getting late at the construction site. One by one, the big trucks are preparing for bed. Soothing verse describes each vehicle's last task and special wind-down routine, ending with a personal message: "Shh...goodnight, Cement Mixer, goodnight." Bright-in-the-night yellows, blues, and reds dominate the thoughtfully crafted illustrations. Truck-loving kids will respond to this take on settling down to sleep.

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

Starred Review To say that a book makes you yawn ll, it's usually not a compliment. But in the case of bedtime books, it's high praise and well deserved by this engaging picture book. As the sun sets on a construction site, five big, tough trucks settle in for the night. After placing one last beam, hardworking Crane Truck folds his boom, grins sleepily, and tucks himself in for the night. Cement Mixer takes a bath before pulling up his chute and beginning to dream. Tired Dump Truck dims his lights and (loudly) snores. Nearby, sleepy Bulldozer "curls up in his soft dirt bed," while Excavator sets down his scoop and falls asleep. Rinker writes her first book in rhyming, rhythmic verses that read aloud well. Deceptively simple, they manage to be simultaneously absorbing and soporific. Lichtenheld, who illustrated Duck! Rabbit! (2009) and Shark vs. Train (2010), contributes dynamic oil-pastel illustrations ranging from comical close-ups of anthropomorphic trucks to lyrical scenes of the construction site and city skyline at dusk. With strong lines and effective use of shading, the scenes offer plenty of visual details for children to discover. Even the endpapers combine beautiful design with stealthy wit. A standout picture book, especially for those who like wheels with their dreams.

School Library Journal Starred Review (Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2011)

K-Gr 1 After each truck completes its work for the day, it cuddles up and says goodnight. Crane Truck raises one last beam and then hugs his teddy and turns on his nightlight. Cement Mixer gives a final spin before snuggling with his blanket. Dump Truck delivers his last load, closes his eyes, and starts to snore. Bulldozer and Excavator follow suit until the entire construction site is tucked in tight. Lichtenheld's detailed and textured illustrations, rendered in wax oil pastels on vellum paper, perfectly complement the fun, rhyming text, cleverly personifying each truck with expressive eyes and amusing details. The bright, golden background changes to pinkish red as the Sun begins to set and then to dark blue when the Moon appears. The repeated refrain, "Shh&30; goodnight, Crane Truck [Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, Excavator], goodnight," will invite participation. Recommended for vehicle —and bedtime-themed storytimes, this is sure to be a hit with truck-loving preschoolers.— Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A noisy construction site may be an unorthodox setting for a bedtime story, but newcomer Rinker and Lichtenheld (Shark vs. Train) tie together the dual themes neatly. Though more subdued than the trucks that drive Kate and Jim McMullan-s I Stink! and I-m Dirty!, these anthropomorphized vehicles have a similar graphic feel and cheerful demeanor. After five machines are first pictured hard at work, they appear against a blazing sky: -The sun has set, the work is done;/ It-s time for trucks to end their fun./ So one by one they-ll go to bed/ To yawn and rest their sleepy heads,/ Then wake up to another day/ Of rough-and-tough construction play!- Each truck performs one final task before settling down to sleep, with gentle encouragement: -Shh... goodnight, Bulldozer, goodnight.- Rinker-s rhythmic verse reinforces the vehicles- love of their work (Dump Truck -moves the dirt/ from place to place,/ Then dumps it with a happy face-) and, like Lichtenheld-s art, deftly balances the story-s boisterous and drowsy elements. Truck lovers will happily nod off to the strains of this read-aloud. Ages 4-8. (May)