Sally Sutton (text), Brian Lovelock (illus.), Dig, Dump, Roll, Walker Books Australia, 1 March 2018, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781760650056
‘Crash-a-rumble, smash-a-grumble. What’s at work? Here’s a clue’ begins Dig, Dump, Roll— the fourth book in the Roadworks series. The book works its way through a range of vehicles including a digger, bulldozer and dump truck, encouraging the children to guess which vehicle is next. A visual clue is given in the illustration before the answer is revealed on the next page.
Dig, Dump, Roll is one of the best books about work vehicles I have come across. With clear, bright illustrations, the use of rhythm, rhyme and onomatopoeia in the text, along with the interactive guessing component, it is a smart and highly engaging picture book. There is a lot of warmth in the drawings and the text is in a large font, appropriate for early readers. Unlike many other books about vehicles, both female and male workers are depicted.
Lots of kids will delight in this book, but especially children who are excited by trucks and building. Recommended for children from birth to 4 years.
Reviewed by Rebecca Blakeney
