About This Book
Todd Tarpley and Guy Parker-Rees deliver a vibrant, rhyming picture book about three toy trucks who experience a classic childhood progression from enthusiastic play to utter grumpiness. As the trucks dig, lift, and build, they gradually become tired, hot, and hungry, culminating in a noisy, relatable meltdown. The story humorously normalizes these big feelings, showing children that it's okay to feel grumpy and that sometimes, a little rest and care are all that's needed. It's an excellent read-aloud for discussing emotions and the importance of self-regulation, perfect for children aged 4-7, but enjoyable for truck enthusiasts up to 11.
Whirr! Whomp! Grind! Chomp! How long can three busy trucks keep it up before ... MELTDOWN? Three toy trucks have big plans for their day at the playground: digging and lifting, building and shifting. But then they start to get tired ... and hot ... and hungry ... They're GRUMPY!
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Discussion Prompts
1
What makes the trucks grumpy in the story? What makes you feel grumpy sometimes?
2
What do the trucks do when they are grumpy? What helps you feel better when you're grumpy?
3
Why is it important to rest, eat, and cool down when you're playing hard?
4
Have you ever seen a truck or a person have a 'meltdown'? What happened?
5
What are some ways we can help ourselves or our friends when we start to feel grumpy?
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