Bulldozer Helps Out

by Candace Fleming

AR Test, Picture Book

At A Glance

Interest Level

4 – 7

Entertainment
Score

Reading Level
2.5

Number of Pages
40

The construction site bustled.
Cement Truck was stirring . . . stirring . . . stirring.
Digger Truck was scooping . . . scooping . . . scooping.
Crane Truck was lifting . . . lifting . . . lifting.

It’s a busy day at the construction site! Everyone is stirring, scooping, and lifting, and Bulldozer is . . . watching. Bulldozer wants to help, but can he handle a rough, tough job for a rough, tough truck? When Bulldozer gets his chance, the whole team is in for a big surprise.

Readers will instantly connect with Bulldozer, who just wants to help. However, when Bulldozer offers to help, he gets a variety of answers: “You’ll get hurt,” or, “You’re too little.” Finally, the other trucks give Bulldozer a job. However, at the end of the day when the trucks go to check on Bulldozer, they discover that “he hadn’t done a single thing they’d asked!” The surprise ending will delight young readers and show that Bulldozer is up for a “rough, tough job!”

Bulldozer Helps Out uses simple illustrations and bold colors that will captivate readers by making Bulldozer and the other trucks seem like friends. Each page has a full-page illustration and three to nine sentences. Despite this, readers will not become bored by the story because many of the sentences use fun elements such as alliteration, dialogue, and truck sounds.

Bulldozer Helps Out shows readers that sometimes being rough and tough means being caring. The fun story will have wide appeal because Bulldozer is a relatable character with a conflict that young children will empathize with. For more truck-related books, rumble to the library and pick up a copy of Go, Go, Trucks! by Jennifer Liberts

Sexual Content 