Two Tough Trucks

by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Rebecca J. Gomez, Hilary Leung (Illustrations)

Do you have what it takes to be a tough truck? Rev up those engines with Hensel and Gretel authors Corey Rosen Schwartz & Rebecca Gomez and Will Bear Share? creator Hilary Leung! Two trucks off to school for their first day of class.One riding the brakes. One hitting the gas. Mack and Rig couldn't be more different.One loves the fast lane. The other, the off-ramp.But when they're forced to pair up on their first day of school, can Mack and Rig figure out a way to get along and learn what it really means to be a tough truck?Get ready to vroom and zoom your way to fun and friendship with these two lovable and tough trucks!

Genres: Picture Books, Trucks, Friendship, Transport, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2020

About the author

Corey is the author of HOP! PLOP! (Walker, 2006), THE THREE NINJA PIGS (Putnam, 2012) GOLDI ROCKS AND THE THREE BEARS (Putnam, forthcoming) and NINJA RED (Putnam, forthcoming). Corey has no formal ninja training, but she sure can kick butt in Scrabble. She lives with three Knuckleheads in Warren, NJ.

Reviews

[Sara Magnafichi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Corey Rosen Schwartz for providing a copy to #collabookation. Wow! This one has been in my TBR pile for way too long! I absolutely loved the story of Mack and Rig. This is the perfect story to teach about teamwork, pride, growth mindset, and perseverance! Add in cute trucks going to school to learn how to navigate twists and turns, and you have a wonderful story that kids will love! Buying a copy for my classroom library.

[Arielfranchakyahoo.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable story with bold illustrations, TWO TOUGH TRUCKS, will certainly appeal to the preschool and kindergarten crew. My 5 year old daughter happened to notice this picture book on my night stand and instantly wanted me to read it to her. Of course, I was more than happy to do so and we both enjoyed this sweet, rhyming adventure with a theme of friendship and teamwork.

Kids will relate to the characters of the tough trucks, Mack and Rig as they begin their first day of school. While Mack exudes confidence, Rig is hesitant and nervous. Mack aces each challenge while the more cautious Rig finishes last. However, with their last challenge, Rig’s careful ways benefit him as they have to travel backwards. Now the tables have turned as Rig excels while Mack struggles. But Rig encourages Mack and helps him finish the challenge. And at the end, Mack and Rig become the fastest of friends.

I loved the rhymes, the powerful message of teamwork and friendship as well as the vivid and bold illustrations. As a reading specialist and parent, I highly recommend this exciting new picture book by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Rebecca J. Gomez, with illustrations by Hilary Leung. 5 stars!!!

I was given an advanced copy of this book to read, review and share with members of Lit Review Crew. Above is my honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming text that makes the reader want to go faster and faster, if you're using this at story time, be sure to slow down and enjoy the great illustrations!

This is a nice story highlighting the importance of diversity and playing to your strengths while learning from others' strengths. Great for opening up conversations about cooperation and impulse control issues.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca Gomez team up for another wonderful rhyming book with tons of kid appeal, this time about two trucks with different personalities on their first day of school. The trucks don't do well on their first task when Mack leaves Rig behind to finish on his own. But they learn that working together on their next task makes them tougher than ever. Hilary Leung's illustrators are bright and easy to follow, making this a great book to share with even the youngest of readers.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Good grief, grumbled Mac. "My partner's a drag."
"That hotshot," said Rig. "He sure loves to brag."

TWO TOUGH TRUCKS is a story of teamwork and friendship despite differences. This story is filled emotive illustrations, clever rhymes and two likable trucks. I love how this story demonstrates how our different talents and characteristics can help us connect with others. Mac and Rig are opposites and that's what helps them work together in the end. My son picked this book up as soon as he saw it, drawn in by the bright colors and topic! It was a hit. This is a fantastic read aloud---I highly recommend it.

Bibliotherapeutic: Anxiety and optimism

[Karen Rostoker-Gruber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, perfectly paced, rhyming picture book by Corey Rosen Schwartz!

"Two trucks off to school for their first day of class.
One riding the brakes.
One hitting the gas."

This is a great first day of school story sprinkled with friendship.

[Allison Renner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network and Orchard Books for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own. Two Tough Trucks by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez, illustrated by Hilary Leung, released September 17th, which is great because my kid keeps asking to read it again and again, so we can already get our own copy!

This is a fun book about the first day of school, keeping an open mind, and making friends. Mack loves to drive fast, and easily conquers new things, while Rig is more cautious and reserved. Mack keeps showing off and leaving Rig in his dust, which frustrates both friends. When Mack finds something he's not so good at, he realizes he needs to slow down and be open to asking for help. Can Rig help him reach his goal?

My kid loves trucks, so the book was a hit based off the title alone. The illustrations are so vibrant and cute, and there is so much to see on each page spread. This is a must-read for any transportation lover, kid starting school, or kids working to make new friends.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky me, I won this PB via a contest. Ty Corey Rosen Schwartz and Kaitlyn Sanchez. I'm not a rhymer so I enjoy good rhyme even more. (Maybe it will rub off?)

Take TWO TOUGH TRUCKS, add a back-to-school frame, bouncy rhyme and a refrain and what do you have? A book kids and adults will both appreciate. Authors Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca Gomez have found a winning formula in this picture book with illustrations by Hilary Leung that set a desert scene and set up the personalities of Mack and Rig.

Mack is ready and confident, while Rig is nervous and unsure as school approaches. Their attempts to tackle all the tasks on teacher Rhodes list (puns!) set up a competition that kids know all too well. Who will win? They both win in this tale of friendship as Mack fails to back up and hits a cone. But failure is not an option as Rig steers Mack in the right direction. The satisfying ending will make readers say, “Awwww.”

TWO TOUGH TRUCKS is a sure bet for story time and read alouds. Zoom on into your favorite bookstore or library. Two truck friends await.

[Jodi McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Mack, one Rig, two very different personalities in a story about teamwork and friendship. It's the first day of school and while Mack is all revved up and ready to go, Rig's wheels are wobbling. Mrs. Rhodes pairs them up for their course work and Mack soon leaves Rig in his dust. After a series of mishaps, Rig finally finds his path and now Mack is stalling. Rig to the rescue! Kids will love the rollicking rhymes as they follow these tough trucks across the pages. The illustrations are bright and cheerful, lending an extra touch of personality to each character. A great book to share with kids on the first day of school!

[Amy Houts · Rating 5 out of 5]

When our six-year old twin grandsons visited for the weekend, my husband and I read this book to them, then they read it to themselves. Fun rhythm and rhyme make this book about two trucks--an unlikely pair--a fun, fast read! At first we think that one truck, "Mack, revved up and ready to go," is going to be the star student. How could the other truck, "Rig, a wreck, unsteady and slow," shine? The surprise twist helps kids understand that we all have things we are good at (and other things we are not good at). I love a happy ending where friends are made. Such a fun concept that kids can relate to and learn something, too. I highly recommend it.

[Chana Stiefel · Rating 5 out of 5]

VROOM! ZOOM! Kids who love things that go will adore TWO TOUGH TRUCKS. Mack is confident and ready to go. Rig is a wreck, unsteady and slow. In this delightful rhyming story, we follow these opposites to Truck School, where Miss Rhodes (LOL) sets them up for some challenges. Readers will love watching the trucks swerve around a track in a turtle and hare race with a twist. Will Mack overpower Rig? Or will Rig rev to the occasion? Brightly colored and textured illustrations by Hilary Leung merge perfectly with text by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez.

[Eileen Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect BACK-TO-SCHOOL book for little ones! Two little trucks with different style are off for their first day of class. They're paired up as partners, yet each has a different style: one adventurous and BOLD, the other shy and worried. Would their contrasting styles cause problems? Could these two tough trucks be pals? I won't completely reveal the ending BUT it's a wonderful tale of different personalities appreciating each others strengths despite their contrasting styles. Hilary Leung's art takes you on a great ride!

[Gina Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet but highly engaging and energetic read about two trucks who find common ground after a rocky start. Active readers will love the zooming action and drama between the two characters. As the daughter of a truck driver, I particularly appreciated Rig's special ability - something you likely won't see coming! Bold illustrations pair perfectly with the text - the character close ups were a highlight for me in pushing the emotional moments.

[Michelle Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corey Rosen Swartz and Rebecca J. Gomez have hit upon a great recipe in this picture book. Hook young readers with a truck theme, weave in some back-to-school jitters, and end with a newfound friendship. Kids will connect with Mack and Rig and root as they become “the fastest of friends.” Hillary Leung’s illustrations create a warm and inviting desert setting. Vroom! Zoom! You’ll want to race out and get this book!

[Jenna Grodzicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Tough Trucks tells the story of Mack and Rig, two small trucks on their first day of school. Mack is a natural at zooming around the track, while Rig has difficulty completing each task. When Mack encounters trouble and is ready to quit, will Rig step up and help his new friend? Told in rhyme, this book is a great choice for a read aloud. The adorable illustrations are bright and complement the text perfectly. A must-have for any classroom or library.

[Julie Overpeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Kid Lit Exchange and Scholastic for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Trucks Rig and Mack are paired up on their first day of school. As they navigate new things together, Rig goes from nervous to confident, and Mack learns to rely on others for help A cute rhyming story with bright, appealing illustrations that are sure to attract young readers. I will purchase this for my school library.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two trucks - one red and one blue - take on the personalities of those who might be driving them in this road trip adventure told in verse. Delightful illustrations add to the fun. What's not to love about hat and bandanna-wearing trucks? Young readers will delight in the gentle rhyme, onomatopoeia, and decision-making between the truck buddies. A great read-aloud tale of adventure and friendship.

[Katey Howes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced, high-octane rhymes zoom and vroom across the pages with two little trucks - a Rig and a Mack - with very different attitudes about the first day of truck school. A super fun friendship story for fans of the CARS movies, or for anyone who ever had a little trouble shifting gears into a new situation.

[Patricia Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to have in one's library. Corey Rosen Schwartz writes of two trucks with entirely disparate dispositions--gregarious/reserved-- extravert/introvert--live-wire/reserved--our classrooms are filled with them. Her message, a benefit to sometimes having a friend like that! Adorable illustrations, Love the lyrical language and the teacher Miss Rhodes.

[Andria Rosenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loaded with tons of kids appeal, this friendship story is sure to haul away hearts. Rosen Schwartz & Gomez have revved up this rhyming tale with a non-stop story. Find out what happens when opposite personalities are forced to work together. Paired with Hilary Leung's personality infused illustrations, this book is sure to become a story time favorite.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful storytelling and great illustrations from Hilary Leung bring this story to life. A lovely book for the back to school crowd, especially for those who might be a little nervous about the whole process.
* read F&G

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'm overthinking, but can we have school books with actual children? I think the story of making a friend is an important one, but I don't know if the ideas transfer for kids. I guess I'm expecting more from picture books these days and not quite getting it.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Tough Truck is a fun rhyming book about two different trucks headed to school. Younger kids will enjoy the riding with the two trucks who have opposite ways of thinking. A great book about friendship.

[Melissa Stoller]

An adorable story about trucks with ZOOM VROOM illustrations!!! And there are several layers too, including friendship, cooperation, and appreciating everyone for what they do best. Perfect for home, schools, and libraries.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rhyming tale of friendship, despite differences. So much heart is conveyed in such a short story and the execution of the rhyme is superb. The bright and cartoony illustrations and very catchy refrain “vroom zoom” will have your kids asking to read it over and over!

[Sarah K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Tough Trucks is a great read for kids about two trucks, Mack and Rig, who must learn to work together. This was a fun, rhyming read. If you have kids who love anything to do with vehicles, they will enjoy learning about friendship, perseverance, and working together with this book!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the first day of school, two trucks were paired for a competition. One was speedy, one was timid - until a particular task reverses that role. Cute story. Fun illustrations.

[The Book Box]

Mama was sent this book to review and we read it together. We both loved the story and the cute illustrations!

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the millions of truck enthusiasts!

[Kelly]

Great book on working together especially when you don't think you need to. We're all good at something! Cute picture under the jacket.