Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
The Busy World Of Richard Scarry Series
on Goodreads (9,372)
What’s inside...
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry takes children on a delightful, fun-filled journey through a town bustling with vehicles. As the Pig family heads to the beach for a picnic, they encounter a wide variety of vehicles, from common ones like the station wagon and tow truck to unique ones like the pumpkin car and broom-o-cycle. The book is filled with detailed illustrations that provide opportunities for storytelling and situational descriptions. Readers are also engaged in a search game to find Goldbug on every page, making this classic a favorite that offers hours of entertainment.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-3
Length
72 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mr. Pig
Discussion points
What do you think makes Cars and Trucks special in their own way?
If you could design your own vehicle, what would it look like and what special features would it have?
Which vehicle in the book would you like to ride in and why?
How do you think the vehicles feel when they're busy working all day?
Can you invent a story about a day in the life of one of the vehicles we read about?
Tip: Role play these questions
Let your child take the lead. Ask them to point out their favorite vehicle and explain why it caught their attention.
Compare the vehicles in the book to those you see in everyday life to make connections between the story and the real world.
Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to imagine customizing a vehicle specifically suited for their needs.
Discuss the roles and responsibilities of different vehicles, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding towards the vehicles' 'jobs'.
Create a mini project where your child draws their own vehicle or writes a short story based on one of the vehicles in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the importance of safety on roads
Explanation: The book illustrates various vehicles and traffic scenarios, teaching children about road safety rules and the functions of different vehicles.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of obeying traffic rules, which can help them stay safe while walking, cycling, or traveling in a car.
Example Lesson: Identifying different types of vehicles
Explanation: Through engaging illustrations of cars, trucks, and other vehicles, children can learn to distinguish between various types of transportation.
Real-World Application: This knowledge is useful during outings or school trips where children can identify different vehicles and understand their purposes.
Example Lesson: Promoting curiosity and knowledge about mechanics
Explanation: The book features detailed drawings of vehicles, sparking interest in how things work and encouraging basic mechanical knowledge.
Real-World Application: Fosters an early interest in science and engineering which can be nurtured through educational toys, games, and further reading.
Example Lesson: Learning to observe and pay attention to details
Explanation: The search-and-find aspect of the book engages children in looking for specific vehicles and items, enhancing their observational skills.
Real-World Application: Improves concentration and attention to detail, which is beneficial in academic settings and daily tasks.