By Kathy Brandon
Illustrated by Jennifer Kasitz
© 2023, Munn Avenue Press
ASIN: B0BVN1V9NV
Kindle version; file size 7818 KB
I don’t recall reviewing a children’s book before. But The Adventures of Nonna and the Little Red Truck in Summertime was a great first selection.
In this fun story, we see through the eyes of a little boy all the adventures he enjoys while visiting with his Nonna and her dog Titan. Each page is a new adventure for a new day of the week. The narrative is sprinkled with fun words like “clatter” and “plop,” each of which are emphasized in colorful lettering with playful fonts. The little boy engages his imagination and his senses. And Nonna’s little red truck appears on every single page…though you might have to look hard to find it!
Illustrations throughout depict delightful, relaxed scenes from the tale itself, with a diverse portrayal of the characters they meet. The bright colors and various animals, insects, and birds make for a fun exploration on every page.
I also liked that the story (and Nonna) is teaching our little narrator (and thus our little readers) about the value of spending time outdoors in Nature, of socializing with others their own age, of visiting with elders, and of being observant. In the back matter pages, Kathy Brandon has given parents and teachers several guides to help enrich the reading for everyone, as well as activities they can do together while reading. Then she wraps it all together by offering a list of suggestions for how to adapt Nonna’s adventures to real life by seeking out similar activities in the reader’s own neighborhood. What a multi-textured teaching tool!
Overall, I feel like this is truly a fun read to share with the young ones in your life. Read it with them, and work together on the activities at the end, like a game! Definitely recommended.