Monster Trucks

PreS-Gr 2—What do monsters do on the 364 nights of the year that aren't Halloween? They drive monster trucks, of course. Each spread of Keller's clever picture book is devoted to one monster, or in the case of the "skeleton crew," several of one type of monster, operating the perfect truck for its temperament or special powers: the mummies are ambulance drivers, the werewolf runs an excavator. The text begs to be read aloud; the couplets scan well and the rhymes are unforced. Saburi's digitally created illustrations feature thick outlines, saturated colors, and a slightly wonky perspective. Her monsters appear cheerful and nonthreatening. The smiling witch wears a pointed black hat over her yellow hard hat as she drives her street sweeper, which has special kitten-washing attachments. The ending (monster bedtime, naturally) is sweet and satisfying.