I enjoy children’s books. Some books are okay. Some books are great and some books are ones I will hang on to. Where’s my T-R-U-C-K? by Karen Beaumont is a gold mine. David Catrow’s illustrations caught my eye. His fun, unique colored drawings brings out the child-like fun. He draws the character emotions of the boy brilliantly, making me feel like I am right in the room. On the title page, the kick the little boy has just given the toys immediately makes you go, “Uh-oh. Somebody is NOT happy.”
I read this book during summer school to my kindergarten kids. They loved it. The figity boys were hanging on each page wondering what was going to happen next. The conflict in the book is an everyday happening. Kids relate to losing things. (I do. How many times have you misplaced your keys or phone?) Frustration wells up when looking for your lost item. Nothing else will appease. 
The parents and siblings try to subdue him, but to no avail. The beginning starts:
“Shhh!” I hear my parents say.
“Tommy’s not himself today. He’s lost his T*R*U*C*K!”
When reading the book, the kids would spell the word in a whisper voice or in a more intense tone depending on the character speaking. The kids loved being involved in the story. Each connected with a story of their own.
David Catrow uses the dog to be telling a parrallel story. Notice the items the dog is taking in each scene. After reading the book, I showed the kids the illustrations again. We enjoyed rereading the book again.
Savorings for reading and in writing for Where’s My TRUCK?:
- Everyday Happening
- Foreshadowing – watch the dog
- Connect with the word family “uck”
- Verbs and Nouns – a great way to teach younger (and older) children to identify the parts of speech
- Voice
Posted by MaryHelen 
Book Savors 