Synopsis
A truck gets stuck under a bridge, creating a traffic jam. Balloons and lemonade abound as a community comes together to fix the problem. Finally, one smart kid figures out how to get the truck un-stuck.
Children's Literature
A boy and girl are shown setting up a lemonade stand in their yard near a busy freeway. They notice a big truck approaching a viaduct and call out a warning, but the driver is oblivious and gets stuck partway through. Traffic comes to a halt. Horns honk and people yell. Traffic cops arrive, then a tow truck. The stuck truck does not budge. A TV crew pushes through to video interviews with distressed drivers. When a child's balloon pops, the solution becomes clear. Let some air out of the tires. This works and the unstuck truck continues down the highway. . The text is brief, using only essential words. "Rope snaps. Dog yaps. Balloon pops. Noise stops." The bright, colorful illustrations depict a variety of vehicles—a recycling truck, an excavator, a limousine, an exterminator, etc. The people are shown in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and ages. The boy and girl sell all of their lemonade in the background. A good choice for preschool story times. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.