Three Cheers for Kid McGear!

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

by Sherri Duskey Rinker, A.G. Ford (Illustrator)

From the  New York Times  bestselling author who brought you  Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site  and  Mighty, Mighty Construction Site  comes a heartwarming and inspiring tale featuring the first female character to join the core construction crew!

She might be small, but she's got it all—she's Kid McGear, Skid Steer! Kid McGear is the newest truck to join the  Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site  crew and she's eager to help with even the roughest and toughest construction work. But when a steep cliff puts the other trucks in danger, can the new Kid on the site prove she's big enough for even this big, big job?

A timeless tale of perseverance and overcoming obstacles, Three Cheers for Kid McGear! will resonate with readers and listeners of all ages.

WILDLY POPULAR CHILDREN'S AND TODDLER Since its debut more than a decade ago, Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and the series of books it launched have become beloved favorites of kids and parents alike, with millions of copies sold. This series of popular, timeless nighttime stories continues to delight families everywhere!

TALENTED AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR Sherri Duskey Rinker is the author of numerous #1  New York Times  bestsellers. AG Ford, a recipient of the NAACP Image Award, has illustrated many award-winning books for children, including the #1  New York Times  bestseller  Construction Site on Christmas Night.
 
PERFECT Playful rhyming text throughout pairs perfectly with the captivating illustrations to tell a complete and powerful story that soothes little ones into a peaceful rest. This thrilling tale of teamwork shows the BIG potential in the littlest readers and is a must-have read-aloud for construction fans both big and small.
 
Can't get enough of these tough trucks? Many more titles in bestselling book series, including Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site ; Mighty, Mighty Construction Site ; and Construction Road Crew, Coming Through! are also available!

Perfect

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Construction, Transport, Trucks, Friendship, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2019

About the author

Sherri has returned to her passion of writing to indulge her own children's passions. A graphic designer, she lives in Chicago with her photographer husband, a cockapoo named Quincy, several fish, a few hermit crabs, an ever-changing array of insects in jars, toys in every corner, and two energetic and inquisitive young boys: one fascinated by bugs and magic and another obsessed with trucks and trains. She's constantly inspired -- and often exhausted! She created GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE in hopes of happier bedtimes and sweet dreams for all.

This is Sherri's first book, and (just in case you think it can't happen!) it was picked from the slush pile.

Reviews

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great addition to the series of construction books by Sherri Duskey Rinker. A lot of fuss has been made over the new character, Kid McGear, being a girl and I do applaud the choice. What I liked most however, was that she's little. She's the champion of being little and inventive and tough. I think kids will identify with her feelings when the trucks initially brush her aside and feel inspired by how she saves the day.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great favorite of my youngest grandson, and an engaging tale for the construction machinery set. Kid McGear is a skid steer; a small addition to a crew of full-sized construction teams, and they doubt her ability to keep up. But then a crisis emerges, and the Kid shows her stuff and earns their respect.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turns out that size isn't indicative of competency. Very touching.

[Amy Allgeier · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just didn't flow, IMO. My son seemed bored by the story. I'm sad because I've liked the others.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: We have loved the Construction Site series in our house. Even though Munchkin has outgrown picture books, these still remain on our shelf and each time a new one comes out it is added to the list. This one is a great addition to the shelf, we get to add a new truck and it is little and a girl! I love the way Rinker uses all the attachments for the skid steer to show the variety of jobs it can do. Of course also having a little truck on a job can be a benefit. Little construction fans will love this story and be able to relate to it as they start to try to take on tasks themselves like setting tables and putting their own laundry away. They may be small but they can get the job done!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The construction trucks learn that even a small new truck can be part of the team and save the day. McGear rescues the stuck construction vehicles because she is a smaller size and can get in tight places.
The illustrations are lovely.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of tractors, back-hoes, dump trucks and all things construction will Kid McGear and all the determination the tiny skid-loader brings with him.

A flatbed arrives on the construction site bringing along a new member to the already busy crew. The little skid loader is energetic and friendly, but all the jobs appear to be a bit too big for him. When an accident leaves two important construction vehicles in trouble, Kid McGear might be exactly the hero the construction site needs.

This is such a fun, inspiring read for construction and big vehicle fans. Familiar as perhaps lesser known vehicles appear on the pages doing what they do best. It's a busy construction site and the illustrations bring this to life, allowing the atmosphere to radiate from every page. But that's only the beginning. The star is a little skid loader, and this guy has quite the sunshiny attitude, too.

There's a bit of action and some tension as a true adventure unrolls. The vehicles are never mean to each other, and yet, the disappointment of Kid McGear is impossible to miss as he's pushed aside as not being big enough. His readiness to help is pure and everybody stands at his side. There's cooperation as well as a bit of ingenuity. It's a happy read, which begs to be read again and again.

I received a complimentary copy and found this story so warm and fun that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.

[Efox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books. For the second year in a row I took my tiny people to the National Book Festival. There were a handful of authors I really wanted my not quite 4 year old to see. Sherri Duskey Rinker was one of them. We got a late start and everyone was a little hungry (my 1.5 year old took a nap) but we made it for her presentation. It was great. She is an enthusiastic truck lover who wants to share that live with others. This is the 4th big book in the Goodnight series. We have all of them. She read it and immediately I knew that this would need to be a part of our collection.

It is a sweet story about being the new kid in a group. It’s a little like another favorite of ours, Little Excavator and being able to contribute no matter your size. My son loves it. I’m pretty sure we will continue to own every book Sherri Duskey Rinker publishes until my kids are way too old for picture books.

Also the National Book Festival is worth a trip to DC for. It’s a absolutely amazing.

[Allison Renner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to @kidlitexchange and Chronicle Kids for sharing Three Cheers for Kid McGear by Sherri Duskey Rinker and AG Ford. All opinions are my own.

My son and I have loved all the construction site books so far, and he was so excited to see a new book with a new character! Kid McGear is small, and the other trucks don’t think she can help. Kid isn’t discouraged, just offers to work with them another day. But when there’s an emergency, Kid is the only one who can help.

Like the previous books in the series, this book has a good story, cute rhymes, and gorgeous illustrations. It’s a must-read!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for providing a free review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The playful, rhyming text in this book tells the story of friendship, cooperation and teamwork. Ag Ford’s vibrant detailed illustrations help us to understand exactly what happened on the fateful day when Kid McGear joined the crew. It’s the day the crew was convinced Kid McGear was too small to help, but changed their minds when Kid saved the day! I loved Kid’s expressions, his ingenuity and his willingness to help and I loved how the crew swallowed their pride and invited him to join them. I know this is going to be a favorite of all ages of truck fans! It’s available now.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine addition to the Goodnight Construction Site series of books, this one features a multi-use truck called a skid steer.

Kid McGear is the new truck on the block and jumps to the rescue when Excavator and Bulldozer are caught at the bottom of the steep hill by a landslide. He shows the others that his flexibility is a strength at times like this.

Rinker's rhyming text is magic again as she weaves this tale of a small truck that could. A.G. Ford's illustrations rendered in Neocolor wax oil crayons continue in the style of Tom Lichetenheld's, keeping a visual continuity in the series.

Fans of the series will love this one!

Recommended for PreSchool-grade 3.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate that "Kid" is a girl, the word "kid" is a pejorative and it bothers me. Kids are baby goats. The proper word for young people is children or child. I know "Kid" was easy to fit in the words of this text, but, I couldn't help but wonder if there would be a better name for the little McGear. "Kid" seems so derogatory. We were taught in education classes never to refer to children that way. They deserve our respect. Which would you rather hear as a child, "Hey, Kid, get over here!" or, "Hey, Alison, would you please come here?"

[Lauren- The Smile Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to kidlitexchange for a free review copy of this book.
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First FEMALE character in the crew!! We are huge fans of this series! Three Cheers for Kid McGear! will not disappoint! This truck may be small but quickly proves that she can be a BIG help to the crew!
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This is a great one for my little guy who always says he is the smallest on his basketball team... but guess what he shot a basket today!! Just like this small character, Kid McGear, he was a BIG help to the team!
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Holidays are coming! This would be a good one to scoop up after Sept 24th

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kid McGear, a female skid steer in a world of personified and gendered heavy equipment vehicles, may have spectacular talents, but this book is spectacularly average. The text is basic. The character illustrations are charming, but the backgrounds and framing is a little off and the color palette is a little too dusty for my taste. And the story -- kid helps out adults -- has been done so many times! Recommended for little ones who like construction, and, if the trucks have to be gendered, it is nice to see the vehicles presented as female.

[Abby Johnson]

Small but mighty wins the day in this colorful, whimsical picture book from the author of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site. Young construction fans will really DIG this book - I especially appreciated the level of detail they get into with what different machines do and how machines work. For example, when two stuck machines need help up a slippery hill, dump truck dumps a load of sand for traction. Readers who want to know everything there is to know about construction will appreciate these little inclusions.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sure to be a hit with children who love construction trucks or trucks in general. Kid McGear is a skid steer and comes with many cool attachments (tracks, grapple hook,power shears, jack hammer, forklift, etc.). At first Kid seems to small to be of any help to the others (big crane, cement mixer, dump truck, etc.). However when Excavator and Bulldozer get stuck, it's Kid to the rescue! This book has lots of vocabulary and great illustrations to win the hearts of little ones passionate about trucks.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A welcome entry to the world of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. Little Kid McGear uses her wide range of attachments to save the day after other vehicles dismiss her for her diminutive size.

Good book to show kids growth mindset, self-confidence, and flexibility.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book in the Goodnight, Construction Site series. It is another book telling you "Just because you are small, you can do something big." There are no surprises. It is straight forward and sweet. Like vehicles? You will enjoy meeting the new friend. What you love about AG Ford's illustrations are here. What you love about Sherri Duskey Rinker's story is here. A comfy read and a comfy story.

[David H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son is very into construction vehicles right now, including skid steers especially (we had seen one working for a couple weeks this summer jackhammering up the sidewalk). So a book starring a skid steer was an auto-buy.

This book is a tad too long for me to enjoy reading it, but we enjoy seeing the different accessories Kid McGear the skid steer can use (the jackhammer one especially). I think this will be a new regular book in the rotation.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute picture book with rhyming text about a little skid steer. The bigger trucks and equipment on the worksite think she's too little to help until the bulldozer gets in trouble! Lots of kids will like learning the names of the different kinds of heavy equipment and that the little one can save the day!

[Gay Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read for kindergarten classes story time or preschoolers, with it's big and little machines. For the little ones, that want to help with adults, they feel left out. Here is a small machine, who shows that he has value to do a job.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's tough being the new kid. And the small kid. And Kid McGear is both new and small. He's overlooked by the veteran construction crew that has gotten along without him thus far. But, when things go awry, it's Kid McGear who saves the day and earns the respect - and acceptance - of the crew.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a shiny new skid steer joins the construction team, she is shunned by the other trucks, who thought she was too small to work along side them. But when an emergency happens skid steer displays her versatility, and multi-tasking skills she is soon accepted as one of the team.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

When tiny Kid McGear the skid steer shows up one day the big construction trucks are unsure that she will be able to pitch in really, due to her small size. But when the big trucks get stuck down a steep incline it's Kid McGear to the rescue!

Great for teaching teamwork and helpfulness.

[Rachel Knuttel Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for a review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

A cute story about how being little doesn’t mean you can’t be strong! Excellent rhymes and a plucky little tractor!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a construction site where big trucks and other equipment are working hard, a new and small machine arrives. When Kid McGear is thought to be too small to be useful or safe, an emergency arises. She shows how helpful she can be. Fun illustrations.

[TJ & AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a birthday gift for AJ, but since she doesn't often cooperate with reading paper books, big brother thoughtfully decided he'd test it out. Construction trucks are always a winner, and with a little girl truck as the hero, I'm looking forward to sharing it with AJ.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the big constructions vehicles thin Kid McGear (a skid steer) is too little to help.

But when several big vehicles get in trouble, Kid McGear's flexibility helps save the day. Teamwork to the rescue!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ack, the illustrations on their own would get a 5 because they’re just so fun and pretty, but this is probably my least favorite in this series. Love that this and Mighty Mighty feature “girl” trucks though!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great book on Teamwork. I especially love how Kid McGear is a girl. When I grew up I loved to play with trucks and tractors and it wasn’t normalized. That this book normalizes female trucks is just icing on top of this story's cake.