Melvin's Valentine

Jon Scieszka's Trucktown

by Jon Scieszka, David Shannon (Illustrator), Loren Long (Illustrator)

Melvin worries his way around Trucktown trying to find out who gave him a valentine. After everyone he asks says no, little Rita beeps her way to Melvin's attention. Did she give Melvin the valentine?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday

24 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

About the author

Jon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."

Reviews

[Emerson and Theodore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical Scieszka Trucktown c-r-a-p. He liked it though.

[Jocelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up with nostalgia for The Stinky Cheese Man from my childhood. However this title took a cute generic story : who gave me this valentine? And presented a worried truck. He worries at everything until he finds who gave him the valentine. What a strange children's book for valentines day. I guess it's good to teach emotion of worry. Not what I'd expected based off the title.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Melvin reeived an anonymous valentine and cant find out who sent it. Every time someon e says that they aren't the one who sent it, he becomes more worried. The book is very good for young kids who are just starting to read. However I don't think that a worried truck is the best topic for a early reader valentine book.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn’t my favorite of the Trucktown series. A little dull. Great illustrations once again though!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's. Melvin can't figure out who sent him a valentine.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute kids book about a truck and a valentine.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We don’t know Trucktown but this was amusing.

Maddie read this to me a second time.

[Library To-Go]

Play & Learn, 2/12/25, ES

[Kayla]

I won’t personally rate this book with stars, but I will say that I 10/10 do NOT recommend this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute story for Valentine's. Great repetition for emergent readers.

[Ubalstecha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melvin tries to figure out who left him a valentine. He asks all the truck town regulars, and none will admit it's theirs. When the giver is finally reveled, it confirms a romance that we all knew was there.



Not as funny as other Trucktown books, but the sweet romance woven in pulls this into a 3.5 star rating.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

These trucks have lots of personality, the story is fun with pictures and text giving some information to the reader that the character misses. Very simple words, great for very early readers and boys.

[Emilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

We like Melvin Might better than this one, although E likes to "Beep beep" along with Rita. This one is better for younger kids than Melvin Might because there aren't as many words.

[Libby · Rating 2 out of 5]

reading to Bashton

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tee hee, tee hee, cutesy little Rita trails after her true love, who is SO WORRIED because he can't figure out who gave it to him.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This early reader is good for Valentine's Day and for reluctant or very early readers. The repetition and the fact that there are not many words on each page make the book accessible.

[Kelsey Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating chosen by the 4 year old.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the expressive illustrations, for grades PK-1. The story has Melvin trying to find out who gave him a valentine. Sweet beginning reader.

[The Book Box]

I LOVE trucks, and Trucktown, and Jon Scieszka! I have also been super excited about Valentine's Day, so this book was fun to read.