FICTION

Tractor Mac Teamwork

by Billy STEERS
illus. by Billy Steers. 32p. (Tractor Mac). Farrar. May 2016. Tr $8.99. ISBN 9780374301132.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—An entry in this character education series on teamwork. In this story, farmer Bill has volunteered to make a community swimming pond, and all of his friends must pitch in to work on this project. Vignettes and spreads fill each page as each member has a special job to do. Problems arise when Deke the tractor feels "I'm the best at building everything!" and decides to take over and complete everyone's tasks. Instead of helping his friends, he criticizes them. Soon, all of the team has stopped working and Deke is left to complete the project. Disaster ensues as Deke hits a water shoot and gets trapped in a mud pit. The team must come together and rescue their friend. Endpages offer a diagram of the different parts of a tractor and steam shovel. Drawings are in muted hues, giving the story a retro feel.
VERDICT Purchase as an additional picture book on character education and for fans of Thomas the Tank Engine, who might enjoy this series.
Reviewed by Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI
Reissue, 2007, Tractor Mac. In these six episodes, Tractor Mac has small adventures with his farm friends and Farmer Bill. He participates in a barn-raising, helps with apple- and pumpkin-picking, dreams of flying, pitches in during a blizzard, contends with a mansplaining tractor, and undergoes a tune-up. Friendly, expressive illustrations may lure readers in, but the didactic and condescending stories are disappointing. Review covers these Tractor Mac titles: Tractor Mac Builds a Barn, Tractor Mac Harvest Time, Tractor Mac Learns to Fly, Tractor Mac Saves Christmas, Tractor Mac Teamwork, and Tractor Mac Tune-Up.
 , May 01, 2016

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