Book Details

Clarion Books/Harper Collins (May 18, 2021)
ISBN 9780358063667

Tow Truck Joe Makes a Splash

By June Sobel
Illustrated by Patrick Corrigan

DESCRIPTION

Brimming with catchy rhymes, bright colors, and summer fun, this sequel to Tow Truck Joe will delight fans of the original and new readers alike! A delightful rhyming picture book from the author of The Goodnight Train.

One for all! All for one!

We can fix it! Let’s have fun!

It’s a hot summer day in Motor City and Joe the Tow and Patch the Pup are very busy! When a back-up at the Splash ‘n’ Shine car wash causes a delay, Patch and Joe need help from their friends to save the day. There’s no job too big for the Motor City friends when they work together!

PRAISE

Kirkus Reviews

Summer blues are washed clean away in this cheery, bubbly, truck-filled adventure.

Tow Truck Joe’s a busy vehicle when summer comes around. With the aid of his trusty pal Patch the Pup, he sets about fixing busted bells on ice cream trucks, flat tires on campers, and stalled beach buses. After a grueling series of jump-starts, it’s time to cool off in the car wash. But what’s this? An 18-wheeler gotten stuck in the car wash, and even Tow Truck Joe’s not strong enough to pull it out. Whatever can be done? Children with a penchant for anthropomorphized trucks and cars (with nary a human in sight) may not find this book too different from similar titles out there, but they’ll hardly care. Gentle rhymes convey an even gentler storyline, with a happy ending for one and all. The real treat, however, lies in the tiny details hidden in the art. Sharp-eyed adults may enjoy peeking at background signs and buildings, like the MoMA (Museum of Motor Art, with an exhibit of Vincent Van-Go), the Brake Disc record shop, or the spray-tan ad to “build your base coat.” The little-kid VW Bugs are adorable. Even environmentalists can enjoy it, as these electric vehicles hook up to a charging point at the end of the day. Best of all, the summer season comes through loud and clear on each and every page. 

Unchallenging, easygoing summertime fun guaranteed to please young truck aficionados.