Tonka
What’s inside...
In 'Tonka' by Victoria Hickle, readers are introduced to a bulldozer, which is portrayed as loud, big, and capable of knocking over anything. Set in a vibrant construction site, the narrative unfolds as the bulldozer goes on various adventures, showcasing its strength and capabilities. Along the way, it reveals fascinating facts about bulldozers. The story reaches its climax with the bulldozer completing a major task, leading to a satisfying conclusion. 'Tonka' is a children's educational book that explores themes of machinery, construction, and discovery, leaving readers with an appreciation for the power and utility of bulldozers. A new format for Tonka features a shaped paperback that includes Chuck My Talking Truck and his friend Gary the Garage. In Tonka Town, Gary sees all the hustle and bustle, and when trouble brews, he is the first to give Chuck helpful advice.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-3
Length
5 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you notice about the different types of trucks in the book? How do they help people in real life?
Which truck was your favorite and why?
How do you think the drivers felt while driving their big trucks? Can you describe their day?
How would our community be different if we didn’t have these trucks to help us?
If you could design your own truck, what special features would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading 'Tonka' with your child, show enthusiasm about the different trucks and what they do. This helps make the connection between the story and real-life applications.
Ask your child to draw their favorite truck from the book. Discuss what makes it special and how it helps people.
Encourage your child to tell a story from the perspective of their favorite truck driver. This can help deepen their understanding of the drivers’ roles and responsibilities.
After reading, play a game of 'spot the truck' during your travels with your child, identifying trucks similar to those in the book and discussing their uses.
Link the truck stories to any toy trucks your child might own, creating scenarios that mimic the book’s stories to stimulate imaginative play and conversation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Tonka', the main characters work together to solve problems and complete tasks, demonstrating the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports teams, learning how to cooperate and achieve common goals with their peers.
Example Lesson: Importance of Responsibility
Explanation: The story highlights characters taking care of their own tasks and tools, teaching children about the importance of being responsible and reliable.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice responsibility by managing their own belongings, completing their homework on time, or helping with chores at home.
Example Lesson: Creative Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters encounter challenges that they must think creatively to overcome, showcasing the importance of innovative thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can use creative problem-solving skills during play or in academic settings to find unique solutions to obstacles they face.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: The characters in 'Tonka' often encounter setbacks, but they persist and continue to strive towards their goals, illustrating the value of resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that setbacks are part of learning and growth, encouraging them to keep trying even when things are difficult.
Example Lesson: Joy in Helping Others
Explanation: The characters experience happiness and satisfaction when they help each other, promoting the joy found in aiding others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take pleasure in acts of kindness, whether it's helping a friend, a family member, or participating in community service.