Bulldozer Friends

Employing simple narration and uncomplicated acrylic illustrations in their follow-up to Digger Man, Zimmerman and Clemesha present a childlike snapshot of a play-filled day at preschool. Told from the perspective of a light-skinned, brown-haired boy named Oliver, the book opens with a cheerful scene of the school’s variously inclusive students being greeted by their teacher. After Oliver meets up with his friend Annie, a dark-skinned girl sporting pigtail puffs, the two enjoy typical preschool activities: making art, dressing up, and having a snack. When it’s time to head outside, the best buds play with construction vehicles together, seamlessly cooperating and sharing: “I like to dig with Annie. We are a team. We work together like a real construction crew,” declares Oliver, self-described “Bulldozer Man.” The illustrations turn fantastical as the two are featured in the driver seats of their vehicles, digging, tunneling, and building in a landscape of dinosaurs and castles. When it’s finally time to say goodbye, the slice-of-life tale concludes with a celebration of friendship, making for a mild read that embodies school goings-on and communal play. Ages 2–6. [em](Nov.) [/em]