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Truck
A bright, classic book for truck-obsessed toddlers. This Caldecott Honor Book is from the beloved author-artist Donald Crews. In this wordless picture book, a large red trailer truck packed with tricycles moves through pages of fog, truck stops, and crowded highways. "Beautifully executed and appealing."— School Library Journal This is an ideal book to share with preschoolers, both at home and in the classroom—especially those who love books about transportation! Truck is written and illustrated by the celebrated creator of Freight Train , Bigmama's , School Bus , and many other classic and award-winning picture books for young children. Truck was named a Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association and was also named an ALA Notable Book for Children.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1971
About the author
Donald Crews
43 books51 followersDonald Crews (born August 30, 1938) is an American illustrator and writer of children's picture books. In 2015, the American Library Association (ALA) honored him with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, recognizing his lasting contribution to children's literature. Common subjects of his include modern technology (especially travel vehicles), and childhood memories. His stories often include few humans.
Two of his works were runners-up, or Caldecott Honor Books, for the ALA's annual award for picture book illustration, the Caldecott Medal.
Donald Crews was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938. He had an older brother, Asa who became Beth Israel Hospital's first African-American intern, and two sisters. His mother worked as a seamstress, and his father worked at the railroad, and several other odd jobs. For the summers he would travel down to rural Florida to stay with his grandmother, who he called "Bigmama". The difference between the big city and the farm caused him to create two, massively different types of art later on in his life.
From a young age, his talent for drawing was encouraged by his family and his teachers. When he got into high school, one of his teachers became a mentor to him, and personally made sure that he got into art school.
He graduated from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and married another graduate, graphic artist Ann Jonas.
Crews was drafted into the army in 1963, and sent to Frankfurt, Germany. Their first daughter, Nina was born in Germany, and their second was born a year later in New York. Nina is also an award-winning children's book author.
While in Germany, he worked on several pieces for his portfolio, including the book We Read: A to Z (1967). After several suggestions from friends, he submitted it, and it was published by Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). The book relied on abstract ideas, rather than the clichés that were usually associated with ABC books. One classic example is the entry for the letter C: "Cc, corner: where the yellow is" is illustrated with a yellow square in the far corner of a red page in the book.
He created several other books over the next few years, but it was 1978's Freight Train that won him a Caldecott Honor and the respect of other artists in the field. He won another Caldecott Honor the next year for Truck. Several other transportation themed books followed, such as School Bus (1984), Flying (1986), and Sail Away (1995). His memories from his summers in Florida first appeared in Bigmama's and later in Shortcut. These stories are vastly different from his previous works, in that they focus on humans, and tell a more linear story.
Crews and his wife currently live in the state of New York in an old, restored farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
Two of his works were runners-up, or Caldecott Honor Books, for the ALA's annual award for picture book illustration, the Caldecott Medal.
Donald Crews was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938. He had an older brother, Asa who became Beth Israel Hospital's first African-American intern, and two sisters. His mother worked as a seamstress, and his father worked at the railroad, and several other odd jobs. For the summers he would travel down to rural Florida to stay with his grandmother, who he called "Bigmama". The difference between the big city and the farm caused him to create two, massively different types of art later on in his life.
From a young age, his talent for drawing was encouraged by his family and his teachers. When he got into high school, one of his teachers became a mentor to him, and personally made sure that he got into art school.
He graduated from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City, and married another graduate, graphic artist Ann Jonas.
Crews was drafted into the army in 1963, and sent to Frankfurt, Germany. Their first daughter, Nina was born in Germany, and their second was born a year later in New York. Nina is also an award-winning children's book author.
While in Germany, he worked on several pieces for his portfolio, including the book We Read: A to Z (1967). After several suggestions from friends, he submitted it, and it was published by Harper & Row (now HarperCollins). The book relied on abstract ideas, rather than the clichés that were usually associated with ABC books. One classic example is the entry for the letter C: "Cc, corner: where the yellow is" is illustrated with a yellow square in the far corner of a red page in the book.
He created several other books over the next few years, but it was 1978's Freight Train that won him a Caldecott Honor and the respect of other artists in the field. He won another Caldecott Honor the next year for Truck. Several other transportation themed books followed, such as School Bus (1984), Flying (1986), and Sail Away (1995). His memories from his summers in Florida first appeared in Bigmama's and later in Shortcut. These stories are vastly different from his previous works, in that they focus on humans, and tell a more linear story.
Crews and his wife currently live in the state of New York in an old, restored farmhouse overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 15, 2019
This beginning wordless picture book is about the signs you see on the road and what life on the road might be like. It is for the very youngest of readers. It was below both my niece and nephew. There also wasn’t a whole lot of opportunity for story. The nephew did his best, but even his wild imagination couldn’t come up with much. This truck was carrying bikes for robots to ride.
I don’t get the Caldecott award here. To me, this was not worthy. They had many choices. Anyway.
The niece gave this 1 star and she said at least it was quick to not waste her time. The nephew didn’t like it either. He also gave it 1 star.
I don’t get the Caldecott award here. To me, this was not worthy. They had many choices. Anyway.
The niece gave this 1 star and she said at least it was quick to not waste her time. The nephew didn’t like it either. He also gave it 1 star.
February 3, 2018
In this wordless book, we see a large truck on its journey from loading up through to final destination. Neo was able to notice the truck’s trip and those it encountered along the way, including all the signs and different sorts of vehicles that share the road. Weather also changes along the journey, which will surely help determine how well TRUCK can do their job. I was interested to see Neo dislike the lack of words, though I can only hope it will foster a desire in him to be creative with the story!
October 4, 2024
A number of different vehicles are celebrated in Donald Crews's picture books, and delivery trucks are a natural fit for the theme. A truck loaded with tricycles leaves the dock and ventures into the local traffic stream, with cars, buses, and other trucks. Its journey on the interstate is in all likelihood a long one, but there's plenty to see en route to where the tricycles are being sent. It's a mundane adventure, but engaging in its own way.
Down city streets the truck drives, headed for the highway. It goes through a dark tunnel, then speeds up on the interstate. The driver pulls over at a truck stop laden with electric signs promising food, and refuels when the gas tank is running on empty. Through foul and fair weather the truck presses on toward its destination, at times freely hurtling down the highway, at times stuck in traffic. Everyone on the road has someplace they want to be as soon as possible. Exiting the interstate, the truck reaches the end of the line and awaits the unloading of its cargo. Both vehicle and driver have performed their job well.
I'm more impressed by the art in Donald Crews's 1979 Caldecott Honor book, Freight Train, though Truck earned its own Caldecott Honor in 1981. The best illustrations are the truck cautiously traversing the wet road in pouring rain, and the two-page maze of winding interstate routes shown from a bird's-eye view. It suggests connectivity to something bigger than ourselves, even if we feel alone on the roads of life. No humans are shown in this book; only the vehicles they drive, an artistic choice I appreciate. There is virtually no story to Truck, which is why I'm not even sure I'd rate it one and a half stars, but there's value here for pre-readers who like illustrations of cars. If you have kids at that stage of life, Truck might be just the ticket.
Down city streets the truck drives, headed for the highway. It goes through a dark tunnel, then speeds up on the interstate. The driver pulls over at a truck stop laden with electric signs promising food, and refuels when the gas tank is running on empty. Through foul and fair weather the truck presses on toward its destination, at times freely hurtling down the highway, at times stuck in traffic. Everyone on the road has someplace they want to be as soon as possible. Exiting the interstate, the truck reaches the end of the line and awaits the unloading of its cargo. Both vehicle and driver have performed their job well.
I'm more impressed by the art in Donald Crews's 1979 Caldecott Honor book, Freight Train, though Truck earned its own Caldecott Honor in 1981. The best illustrations are the truck cautiously traversing the wet road in pouring rain, and the two-page maze of winding interstate routes shown from a bird's-eye view. It suggests connectivity to something bigger than ourselves, even if we feel alone on the roads of life. No humans are shown in this book; only the vehicles they drive, an artistic choice I appreciate. There is virtually no story to Truck, which is why I'm not even sure I'd rate it one and a half stars, but there's value here for pre-readers who like illustrations of cars. If you have kids at that stage of life, Truck might be just the ticket.
September 8, 2017
"Truck" by Donald Crews; Published by Greenwillow Books; New York; Copyright 1980
1. Awards the book has received: Caldecott Honor Book, ALA Notable Book for Children
2. This book is appropriate for preschool.
3. "Truck" begins with a shipping truck that has been packed full with boxes of bicycles. The Truck comes to a stop sign as other vehicles pass by before crossing an intersection, driving past a garage, and going through a tunnel with a variety of other trucks and cars. The truck steams through the city, passing another truck on its way to a gas station with a diner where day shifts into nighttime. The truck drives through rainy conditions, heavy traffic conditions in a rural area, over an overpass, and through the San Francisco fog before crossing a suspension bridge. The truck continues on its path to deliver the bicycles as it passes road signs indicating different directions before the back opens up to unload the bicycles.
4. I think this book is good for explaining different modes of travel as well as part of the shipping process through which many of us get the products we buy at the store. I think this book would be interesting to children who are interested in transportation and travel. The illustrations are colorful and fun and the book flows well while showing images that are familiar to preschoolers. Children will easily be able to identify the objects on the pages as they have likely seen many of them before.
5. Uses in the classroom:
• Imagining a story where bikes are delivered to a local store.
• Discussing different modes of transportation and what each traffic sign means.
• Discussing different road conditions that may make it easier or more difficult to drive.
• Illustrating our own modes of transportation and working together to write where they go, as well as whom and what they carry.
• Discussing our own experiences while on the road and thinking about the job of a truck driver and how they are helpful to the community.
• Thinking about the different modes of transportation that carry the goods we see in the store.
• Setting up our own town using blocks, trains, trucks, and boats then shipping different things while thinking of ways that are most efficient.
1. Awards the book has received: Caldecott Honor Book, ALA Notable Book for Children
2. This book is appropriate for preschool.
3. "Truck" begins with a shipping truck that has been packed full with boxes of bicycles. The Truck comes to a stop sign as other vehicles pass by before crossing an intersection, driving past a garage, and going through a tunnel with a variety of other trucks and cars. The truck steams through the city, passing another truck on its way to a gas station with a diner where day shifts into nighttime. The truck drives through rainy conditions, heavy traffic conditions in a rural area, over an overpass, and through the San Francisco fog before crossing a suspension bridge. The truck continues on its path to deliver the bicycles as it passes road signs indicating different directions before the back opens up to unload the bicycles.
4. I think this book is good for explaining different modes of travel as well as part of the shipping process through which many of us get the products we buy at the store. I think this book would be interesting to children who are interested in transportation and travel. The illustrations are colorful and fun and the book flows well while showing images that are familiar to preschoolers. Children will easily be able to identify the objects on the pages as they have likely seen many of them before.
5. Uses in the classroom:
• Imagining a story where bikes are delivered to a local store.
• Discussing different modes of transportation and what each traffic sign means.
• Discussing different road conditions that may make it easier or more difficult to drive.
• Illustrating our own modes of transportation and working together to write where they go, as well as whom and what they carry.
• Discussing our own experiences while on the road and thinking about the job of a truck driver and how they are helpful to the community.
• Thinking about the different modes of transportation that carry the goods we see in the store.
• Setting up our own town using blocks, trains, trucks, and boats then shipping different things while thinking of ways that are most efficient.
Read
October 29, 2017Summary: This is a really great picture book. The pictures are bright with a great amount of color that catch peoples attention and keeps them engaged. It shows a variety of cars with a variety of road signs. To read this book kids do not have to be able to read, they can use the pictures to tell a story. This book would be great for kindergarten or pre-k.
Evaluation: This book would be great for younger ages. It has good pictures with great colors. This would be a good book for learning colors, shapes, and road signs. If I teach pre-k or kindergarten I will have this in my library.
Teaching point: You could use this book to talk about different shapes: trucks (rectangle) wheels (circle) some signs (diamonds). You could also go over colors because there are a variety of colors throughout the book.
Evaluation: This book would be great for younger ages. It has good pictures with great colors. This would be a good book for learning colors, shapes, and road signs. If I teach pre-k or kindergarten I will have this in my library.
Teaching point: You could use this book to talk about different shapes: trucks (rectangle) wheels (circle) some signs (diamonds). You could also go over colors because there are a variety of colors throughout the book.
September 30, 2015
A very fun wordless book to go with my Truck theme. There are so many things I can have the kids point out to me, including colors. (The colors in this book are bright and cheerful.) This should be fun, and the kids always enjoy the ones where they help me "read" the book. Wonderful choice for truck lovers, especially for a lap-read or read-alone with them.
1/23/13 This was a fabulous choice for my Truck theme. The kids loved telling me the colors of the trucks around. They got the stop sign. They helped me point out a few things on the pages. They enjoyed the book a lot and I had fun reading it with them. I am loving wordless picture books more and more--and the kids love being able to help me out with them.
9/2/15 Very good. The kids enjoyed this in the On the Go! theme.
1/23/13 This was a fabulous choice for my Truck theme. The kids loved telling me the colors of the trucks around. They got the stop sign. They helped me point out a few things on the pages. They enjoyed the book a lot and I had fun reading it with them. I am loving wordless picture books more and more--and the kids love being able to help me out with them.
9/2/15 Very good. The kids enjoyed this in the On the Go! theme.
February 8, 2017
Not especially interesting art of a truck and other vehicles. With no story. And no words. Yeah whatever. What were the Caldecott people thinking?
November 17, 2025
A number of different vehicles are celebrated in Donald Crews's picture books, and delivery trucks are a natural fit for the theme. A truck loaded with tricycles leaves the dock and ventures into the local traffic stream, with cars, buses, and other trucks. Its journey on the interstate is in all likelihood a long one, but there's plenty to see en route to where the tricycles are being sent. It's a mundane adventure, but engaging in its own way.
Down city streets the truck drives, headed for the highway. It goes through a dark tunnel, then speeds up on the interstate. The driver pulls over at a truck stop laden with electric signs promising food, and refuels when the gas tank is running on empty. Through foul and fair weather the truck presses on toward its destination, at times freely hurtling down the highway, at times stuck in traffic. Everyone on the road has someplace they want to be as soon as possible. Exiting the interstate, the truck reaches the end of the line and awaits the unloading of its cargo. Both vehicle and driver have performed their job well.
I'm more impressed by the art in Donald Crews's 1979 Caldecott Honor book, Freight Train, though Truck earned its own Caldecott Honor in 1981. The best illustrations are the truck cautiously traversing the wet road in pouring rain, and the two-page maze of winding interstate routes shown from a bird's-eye view. It suggests connectivity to something bigger than ourselves, even if we feel alone on the roads of life. No humans are shown in this book; only the vehicles they drive, an artistic choice I appreciate. There is virtually no story to Truck, which is why I'm not even sure I'd rate it one and a half stars, but there's value here for pre-readers who like illustrations of cars. If you have kids at that stage of life, Truck might be just the ticket.
A word on the board book edition: it's still fun, though the quality of Donald Crews's illustrations doesn't come through as well as the original hardcover version. The pages are smaller, and the effect is noticeable.
Down city streets the truck drives, headed for the highway. It goes through a dark tunnel, then speeds up on the interstate. The driver pulls over at a truck stop laden with electric signs promising food, and refuels when the gas tank is running on empty. Through foul and fair weather the truck presses on toward its destination, at times freely hurtling down the highway, at times stuck in traffic. Everyone on the road has someplace they want to be as soon as possible. Exiting the interstate, the truck reaches the end of the line and awaits the unloading of its cargo. Both vehicle and driver have performed their job well.
I'm more impressed by the art in Donald Crews's 1979 Caldecott Honor book, Freight Train, though Truck earned its own Caldecott Honor in 1981. The best illustrations are the truck cautiously traversing the wet road in pouring rain, and the two-page maze of winding interstate routes shown from a bird's-eye view. It suggests connectivity to something bigger than ourselves, even if we feel alone on the roads of life. No humans are shown in this book; only the vehicles they drive, an artistic choice I appreciate. There is virtually no story to Truck, which is why I'm not even sure I'd rate it one and a half stars, but there's value here for pre-readers who like illustrations of cars. If you have kids at that stage of life, Truck might be just the ticket.
A word on the board book edition: it's still fun, though the quality of Donald Crews's illustrations doesn't come through as well as the original hardcover version. The pages are smaller, and the effect is noticeable.
August 17, 2021
Nice drawing but no meaning.
October 5, 2017
Award(s): Caldecott Honor Book, ALA Notable Book
Grade: Preschool—Kindergarten
Summary: This is a wordless picture book about trucks. The book contains appealing illustrations of a large, bright red trailer truck on a journey to its destination. It has stops along the way through fog, truck stops, and crowded highways.
Review: This book is interesting as it appears to have a storyline, but since there are no written words, students are able to come up with their own narrative. I liked the illustrations in the book, although I felt for the most part they were basic and lackluster. I think more detailed images with a lot of activity going on to look at might be more engaging for students, being that there are no words it would leave more room for imagination and dialogue.
In Class Use: One classroom activity is to have students create a map of somewhere (real or imaginary) that their truck will go, and write directions from a starting point to an ending point and some things that they see along the way. This activity can teach students transition words. Alternatively, another activity could be to hand out maps and split students into pairs and have them write detailed directions to a mystery location (on the map). Then, one student will read the directions while the other student fills in the map and tries to figure out the ending location. This activity teaches listening skills, transition words, using descriptive language, and adding details.
Grade: Preschool—Kindergarten
Summary: This is a wordless picture book about trucks. The book contains appealing illustrations of a large, bright red trailer truck on a journey to its destination. It has stops along the way through fog, truck stops, and crowded highways.
Review: This book is interesting as it appears to have a storyline, but since there are no written words, students are able to come up with their own narrative. I liked the illustrations in the book, although I felt for the most part they were basic and lackluster. I think more detailed images with a lot of activity going on to look at might be more engaging for students, being that there are no words it would leave more room for imagination and dialogue.
In Class Use: One classroom activity is to have students create a map of somewhere (real or imaginary) that their truck will go, and write directions from a starting point to an ending point and some things that they see along the way. This activity can teach students transition words. Alternatively, another activity could be to hand out maps and split students into pairs and have them write detailed directions to a mystery location (on the map). Then, one student will read the directions while the other student fills in the map and tries to figure out the ending location. This activity teaches listening skills, transition words, using descriptive language, and adding details.
July 25, 2018
In this beloved Caldecott Honor book, we take off in a bright red semi-truck (loaded with bikes), with the bold white letters 'TRUCKING' printed on the trailer's side. We head out and go through a tunnel, visit a truck stop, drive through rain, muscle through a crowded highway, and make our way over a stacked interchange. In the end, we arrive at our destination and our cargo is unloaded.
We enjoyed Crews' Freight Train, which I reviewed awhile back in a round-up on train books, but my kids seem to enjoy Truck even more. It is visually exciting and there is an inherent story.
I love wordless picture books for kids with echolalia because it is more difficult to develop a script for a book without set text. Echolalia has been an issue for both of my sons, and any practice they can get reading without scripting is valuable.
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I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post on books for kids who really love trucks: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/20-boo...
We enjoyed Crews' Freight Train, which I reviewed awhile back in a round-up on train books, but my kids seem to enjoy Truck even more. It is visually exciting and there is an inherent story.
I love wordless picture books for kids with echolalia because it is more difficult to develop a script for a book without set text. Echolalia has been an issue for both of my sons, and any practice they can get reading without scripting is valuable.
---
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is part of a longer post on books for kids who really love trucks: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/20-boo...
October 15, 2018
1. Awards: Caldecott Honor Book
2. Appropriate grade level(s): PK+
3. This wordless book follows a big red semi-truck as it makes its way from the loading dock to its destination. Over the miles and miles it travels through city streets, down highways, and over bridges, the truck has many experiences that can spark the imagination of any young reader. The truck encounters traffic, inclement weather, a truck stop, and other busy trucks, all with a job to do. Finally, he reaches his destination just in time to unload his freight and supply more bicycles before the warehouse runs out.
4. Like all wordless picture books, I find this book a wonderful and useful tool to spark the imagination. The illustrations are bold plentiful allowing for great story depth. For that reason, this would be a great book for a beginner in wordless pictures books. The length is perfect as well- not too long, but not too short.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
1. To expand vocabulary or work on oral language development.
2. For use as a creative writing assignment in a journal.
2. Appropriate grade level(s): PK+
3. This wordless book follows a big red semi-truck as it makes its way from the loading dock to its destination. Over the miles and miles it travels through city streets, down highways, and over bridges, the truck has many experiences that can spark the imagination of any young reader. The truck encounters traffic, inclement weather, a truck stop, and other busy trucks, all with a job to do. Finally, he reaches his destination just in time to unload his freight and supply more bicycles before the warehouse runs out.
4. Like all wordless picture books, I find this book a wonderful and useful tool to spark the imagination. The illustrations are bold plentiful allowing for great story depth. For that reason, this would be a great book for a beginner in wordless pictures books. The length is perfect as well- not too long, but not too short.
5. 2-3 in class uses:
1. To expand vocabulary or work on oral language development.
2. For use as a creative writing assignment in a journal.
February 27, 2017
Awards: Caldecott medal and ALA Notable book
Grade level: Pre-K
Summary: This picture book follows a big tractor trailer truck transporting bicycles on its journey throughout the highway system. The truck goes through tunnels, fog, and crowded highways, portraying what it is like on the highways. On the trucks travels you see plenty of signs, driving routines, and other daily routines of the highway system.
Review: I really enjoyed this book and its realistic portrayal of the highway and all of its procedures. It is full of environmental print and shows many things that most children at this age have seen before. I think that many Pre-K learners would love to interact with this picture book.
In Class Use: This book would be great for a simple addition on a unit on transportation and travel. It could also be used to relate to weather when the book refers to fog. This book would be a huge interest for many young children and especially for those interested in trucks.
Grade level: Pre-K
Summary: This picture book follows a big tractor trailer truck transporting bicycles on its journey throughout the highway system. The truck goes through tunnels, fog, and crowded highways, portraying what it is like on the highways. On the trucks travels you see plenty of signs, driving routines, and other daily routines of the highway system.
Review: I really enjoyed this book and its realistic portrayal of the highway and all of its procedures. It is full of environmental print and shows many things that most children at this age have seen before. I think that many Pre-K learners would love to interact with this picture book.
In Class Use: This book would be great for a simple addition on a unit on transportation and travel. It could also be used to relate to weather when the book refers to fog. This book would be a huge interest for many young children and especially for those interested in trucks.
September 20, 2018
This wordless, Caldecott Honor book follows a big red truck. The red truck has a giant label "TRUCKING" on the side of it. Throughout the book, we see many different angles and sides to the truck. It drives on numerous amounts of roads by other vehicles. Each picture provides a different perspective to the truck; sometimes where the words "TRUCKING" are not fully visible.
At first, I was a little confused by this book. The different angles sometimes made it difficult to follow the truck as it was traveling along the roads. One of the features I loved about this book was how the illustrations covered the entire spread of the pages. It made the illustrations clearer, larger, and added more detail. This would seem beneficial to young children who enjoy larger images. The title page and copyright information in this book merged together onto one page. I also noticed the story actually began on the copyright page.
At first, I was a little confused by this book. The different angles sometimes made it difficult to follow the truck as it was traveling along the roads. One of the features I loved about this book was how the illustrations covered the entire spread of the pages. It made the illustrations clearer, larger, and added more detail. This would seem beneficial to young children who enjoy larger images. The title page and copyright information in this book merged together onto one page. I also noticed the story actually began on the copyright page.
April 19, 2018
1. Caldecott Honor Medal
2. Ages 3-5
3. Truck is about the journey of a truck driving through cities and what happens around it. There are other trucks, cars, street signs, gas stations, diners, many roads, and different appearances of weather.
4. This book was very different for me because it is wordless but I enjoyed it. I got a lot out of it just from the pictures. I can truly understand what the point of the book is and that it is showing the journey of a big truck.
5. This is a great book for young children that aren’t able to read yet. The truck is labeled “truck” in the images in the book which could help the children recognize that word. This book would be great for a lesson on transportation or a lesson on roadways.
2. Ages 3-5
3. Truck is about the journey of a truck driving through cities and what happens around it. There are other trucks, cars, street signs, gas stations, diners, many roads, and different appearances of weather.
4. This book was very different for me because it is wordless but I enjoyed it. I got a lot out of it just from the pictures. I can truly understand what the point of the book is and that it is showing the journey of a big truck.
5. This is a great book for young children that aren’t able to read yet. The truck is labeled “truck” in the images in the book which could help the children recognize that word. This book would be great for a lesson on transportation or a lesson on roadways.
July 9, 2018
Truck is written and illustrated by the celebrated creator of Freight Train, Bigmama's, School Bus, and many other classic and award-winning picture books for young children. Truck was named a Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association and was also named an ALA Notable Book for Children. It is an ideal book to share with preschoolers, both at home and in the classroom—especially those who love books about transportation!
In this wordless picture book, a large, bright red trailer truck packed with tricycles moves through pages of fog, truck stops, and crowded highways. "Beautifully executed and appealing."—School Library Journal
In this wordless picture book, a large, bright red trailer truck packed with tricycles moves through pages of fog, truck stops, and crowded highways. "Beautifully executed and appealing."—School Library Journal
September 28, 2016
A great book for non-readers to learn about the various types of trucks. The pictures are vivid in color
September 13, 2018
I like how the cover demonstrates what the story is going to be about. I really did not like this book. This book was very repetitive and was not entertaining. Yes, it is a wordless book, but it also never grabbed my attention because each page was the same truck and it was constantly traveling. I did understand that he was traveling under a tunnel, on roads, and in a one way, but it never caught my liking. The only pages I liked was the first page because it showed the readers what the truck was carrying and at the end of the story they showed it again, which caught my attention that he was traveling and dropping off the bicycles somewhere. None of the illustrations were very enjoyable to look at because they were so constant and uninteresting. It was cool how each page shows smoke coming from the trucking truck. The red vibrancy on each page was excellent for readers to see and enjoy, but that is all I can identify that I enjoy in this book. I was very confused but found it interesting how on the page where it was depicting rain, it also showed the truck being pink and not red. Another aspect I found neat was how one page was showing fogginess and you can't see anything clear besides the red truck, which was cool.
May 8, 2023
As far as I know, Truck is the first ‘object’ book that I’ve read in at least the last twenty four years. I really chose this book just based on its cover. It has a large red truck labeled ‘truck’ and has a very industrial look to its art style.
In terms of the book itself, I have to admit I wasn’t a huge fan. Although the illustrations in the book are stylistically very consistent, I’m not quite sure that it’s a style that would be appealing to young kids. The visuals definitely present opportunities for a parent or teacher to explain a lot of what a child might see out in the world, and provides a context that definitely gives more time for explanation than when you are on the expressway. Other than that though, I wasn’t impressed by the book. There isn’t much text, no real plot or direction for the book, just an opportunity to maybe answer some questions and work on visual literacy.
In terms of the book itself, I have to admit I wasn’t a huge fan. Although the illustrations in the book are stylistically very consistent, I’m not quite sure that it’s a style that would be appealing to young kids. The visuals definitely present opportunities for a parent or teacher to explain a lot of what a child might see out in the world, and provides a context that definitely gives more time for explanation than when you are on the expressway. Other than that though, I wasn’t impressed by the book. There isn’t much text, no real plot or direction for the book, just an opportunity to maybe answer some questions and work on visual literacy.
October 2, 2017
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Appropriate grade level(s): Pre-school
Summary: This book has very colorful pictures of a truck that is on a trip. It includes highways, roadsigns, traffic and other obstacles that one may encounter while driving a truck or any vehicle. It has the word "truck" or "trucking" on the side of the trucks which helps children match words to objects in the book.
Review: There is a lot happening at once in this book so it is easy to get distracted. There is also very little room for children to use their imagination because it only shows pictures of one singular truck and different road signs. It may be hard for children to follow what is happening in the story or make one up in their minds.
Possible in-class uses:
1) Modes of transportation
2) Identifying traffic signs
3)Purposes for driving the real world
Appropriate grade level(s): Pre-school
Summary: This book has very colorful pictures of a truck that is on a trip. It includes highways, roadsigns, traffic and other obstacles that one may encounter while driving a truck or any vehicle. It has the word "truck" or "trucking" on the side of the trucks which helps children match words to objects in the book.
Review: There is a lot happening at once in this book so it is easy to get distracted. There is also very little room for children to use their imagination because it only shows pictures of one singular truck and different road signs. It may be hard for children to follow what is happening in the story or make one up in their minds.
Possible in-class uses:
1) Modes of transportation
2) Identifying traffic signs
3)Purposes for driving the real world
February 26, 2017
Award(s): Caldecott Honor Book
Grade: Pre-School
Summary: Truck by Donald Crews is a wordless picturebook with bold, and vibrant images that are pleasurable for a young child's eye. The book shows illustrations of everyday signs we see while driving in the real world. In addition, the book repeats words such as "truck" and "trucking" matching the term to the image so the child can identify the corresponding word to the object.
Review: For some reason I had high expectations of this book, but it was kind of boring and easy to skim by. There is not room for interpretation or imagination because the photos are just of trucks and individual signs.
In Class Uses: Learning about the real world, identifying traffic signs, units on transportation
Grade: Pre-School
Summary: Truck by Donald Crews is a wordless picturebook with bold, and vibrant images that are pleasurable for a young child's eye. The book shows illustrations of everyday signs we see while driving in the real world. In addition, the book repeats words such as "truck" and "trucking" matching the term to the image so the child can identify the corresponding word to the object.
Review: For some reason I had high expectations of this book, but it was kind of boring and easy to skim by. There is not room for interpretation or imagination because the photos are just of trucks and individual signs.
In Class Uses: Learning about the real world, identifying traffic signs, units on transportation
June 21, 2020
Follow a truck as it works to deliver its cargo. The truck journeys through different weather, and many aspects of traveling through cities such as tunnels, bridges, and curvy interstates. Many road signs are features throughout. It’s a wordless picture book which many adults seem to struggle with. However they serve their purpose! Even without a very clear story in this one the bright colors and bold geometrics of these illustrations will captive young eyes. Children who are very interested in trucks and vehicles will appreciate the the different perspectives on the truck. Maybe instead of trying to “read” this story it’s more enjoyable to just view the pages and see what things you can notice. A full story doesn’t need to be forced out.
July 17, 2017
This informational social studies book is unique in it's own way because of it's absence of words and instead tells it's story through illustrations. Young readers can follow the journey of a big red truck that is transporting tricycles and the many obstacles the truck faces. This book is a great tool for educators of readers of the PreK-2 grade levels and can introduce students to the world of transportation. The bright illustrations can draw readers in as become aware of how items get transported from point A to point B.
March 10, 2026
“The road matters more than the arrival.” It's very mundane story: a truck transporting bikes from one point to the other. Simple as that. What makes this fascinating and enjoyable is the journey of the truck. Nothing explosive nor out of this world stuff. Still grounded to the ordinary. And because it's a wordless book, the reader will rely on the artwork to know the story. I like the design and interior illustration of this book. This is a sample of how an ordinary story but an ample but good illustration can deliver a good story.
September 24, 2022
One of the librarians requested this for storytime based on the title and cover, but this is actually a wordless picture book. As such, it's not appropriate for storytime, but it also doesn't have much going for it in general. There's no story here for even the most imaginative child to draw out, and it's just a series of close-up illustrations of tractor trailers and highway signs. The pictures themselves are nice, but not exceptional, and I'm really questioning how this won a Caldecott.
February 3, 2024
I’m not even sure how to review a book with virtual no story. There’s certainly an audience for something like this, but we just aren’t it. This is a picture book whose only words appear on the sides of trucks and street signs. We see the truck loading up then traversing it’s commute to its final destination. My 4yo daughter was less than enthused. But I’m sure they’re are some rowdy, truck loving little kids out there who would gobble this one up.
October 2, 2017
• 1981 Caldecott Honor Book •
This is cute! The truck is loaded up with bicycles and we follow its journey through different landscapes and weather to its final destination. It's a wordless picture book with lots of bold, colorful illustrations.
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
This is cute! The truck is loaded up with bicycles and we follow its journey through different landscapes and weather to its final destination. It's a wordless picture book with lots of bold, colorful illustrations.
Materials used: unlisted
Typeface used: unlisted
December 9, 2017
While I enjoy Crews’ work, I am surprised this particular book was an award winner. I think I may be slightly put off by how it is wordless. But I recognize how clever it is in design and how useful it could be for getting non readers interested in books as you can practice making predictions as to where the truck is going and why!
June 11, 2018
I had never heard of Donald Crews until he was our classroom's "Author of the month"; all his books are amazing. This one was a favorite; no text (aside from the words on highway signs, the sides of trucks, etc.), but absolutely gorgeous pictures throughout, and tons of fascinating detail to notice and explain.
May 19, 2019
I don't care what people say, I remember this book vividly and fondly after 20 years. The artwork is burned into my memory and was one of my favorites. This was before smartphones, tablets and whatnot, so it played with my imagination and gave me a wonderful sense of comfort while growing up. Despite a preference of reading trilogies, this one little book with no words was my pride and joy.
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