Cars, trucks and trains are some of the first toys that we give to kids. So it’s no surprise that some of their favorite books feature adorable transportation themed characters. These children’s books about vehicles feature cute characters, important lessons, and lots of information about vehicles and the important jobs that they do.
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Flash the Little Fire Engine
Written by Pam Calvert and illustrated by Jen Taylor
This story follows an adorable little fire engine named Flash as he starts his first day on the job. But every time he tries to help, the other trucks tell him he’s not ready. When a fire breaks out, it is up to Flash to save the day. The story contains an important message for young kids about doing your best, and also includes details about firefighters, fire trucks, and the important job that they do. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and full of details about gear and tools on fire trucks and in fire stations.
Related Post: Fire Safety with Flash the Little Fire Engine
All Aboard! The Airport Train
Written by Nichole Mara and illustrated by Andrew Kolb
This folded lift-the-flap book invites the reader onto an airport train. Each page is a different numbered car on the train, and it can be lifted to show the passengers inside and the events unfolding in each. The book folds out to show the train at full length, and the backs of the train pages show a large illustration of the airport with prompting questions encouraging kids to explore shapes, colors and counting.
Cars (All About)
Written by Geraldine Krasinski and illustrated by Olivier Latyk
This interactive book teaches the reader all about cars – from the first design to their many jobs. Each page includes flaps, tabs, or other movable parts to bring the illustrations to life. The book is stuffed with facts about cars, including the history of cars, the design process, the care and upkeep of vehicles, and their uses in the world. Kids will love moving the various elements in the book, and will learn lots of interesting facts about the vehicles in their world.
Related Post: Transportation Books for Little Travelers
Two Tough Trucks
Written by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez and illustrated by Hilary Leung
Mack and Rig are two very different trucks. While Mack loves speed, Rig is very cautious. When they are paired up on the first day of school, they have to learn how to get along. In the process, they both learn an important lesson from one another. The rhyming text is peppy and full of fun truck noises that kids will love to shout out loud. The illustrations are brightly colored and the adorable truck characters feature big smiles and bright eyes that will draw kids in to the story.
Little Yellow Truck
Written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Kevin Zimmer
Riley has four brightly colored trucks, and one day he tells them that they will be working together to build a children’s park. But while Big Blue, Big Red, and Big Green are busy helping, Little Yellow isn’t given any jobs. All he wants to do is help, but will he be allowed to pitch in? When he is finally given a job, it is an extra special one. The illustrations accompanying this sweet story are vibrant and full of adorable truck characters each specializing in a different job.
Related Post: 11 Construction Books for Kids
The Little Snowplow Wishes for Snow
Written by Lora Koehler and illustrated by Jake Parker
The Little Snowplow loves working with the Mighty Mountain Road Crew, but he loves plowing snow most of all. Throughout the year, he wishes for snowy weather, but when winter comes and there isn’t any snow, he starts to worry that there won’t be any at all. When his birthday rolls around, there may just be a snowy surprise in store for him. The sweet story highlights the relationships between the truck characters, as well as the various jobs that the little plow can do throughout the year. Kids may recognize the longing for snow that the little plow is dealing with, and will celebrate along with him when he finally sees snowflakes.
Three Cheers for Kid McGear
Written by Sherri Duskey Rinker and illustrated by AG Ford
This addition to the Construction Site series introduces the reader to the first female character of the construction crew. Kid McGear may be a small skid steer, but she knows that she has what it takes to keep up with the big trucks. When the other trucks find themselves in trouble, will she be able to save the day? This new entry in the popular series uses the same playful rhymes and fun illustrations as the other books, making it a definite hit with fans of the series.
What are your favorite children’s books about vehicles? Share them in the comments below!
