Just in time for those summer family vacations – a storytime about cars! Since many children will spend part of this summer calling out “Are we there, yet?” a car-themed storytime will be a big hit. For a craft project, kids can make steering wheels out of paper plates, or stoplights which will help them remember that red means stop, green means go. Of course, it is a great opportunity to remind the kids (and their parents) about the importance of wearing a seatbelt and other car safety tips.
Pinkwater, Daniel. TOOTH-GNASHER SUPERFLASH. The Popsnorkle family tests out a new sports car that can magically change into different animals.
Greenblat, Rodney. UNCLE WIZZMO’S NEW USED CAR. Uncle Wizzmo tries out a car at Turnpike Larry’s.
Barton, Byron. MY CAR. Perfect for toddlers, this brightly-illustrated book has Sam describing his car. We find out at the end that Sam is a bus driver.
Hurd, Thacher. ZOOM CITY. Dogs race through the city in this jazzy rhyming board book.
Zelinsky, Paul O. WHEELS ON THE BUS. A pop-up version of the popular children’s song.
Kovalski, Maryann. WHEELS ON THE BUS. An equally successful version, where Gran and her two granddaughters have fun singing while they wait for the bus.
Steen, Sandra and Susan. CAR WASH. Brother and sister sit inside the car while it goes through the bubble machine, and they imagine being under the sea.
Murphy, Stuart. BEEP BEEP, VROOM VROOM! A simple but amusing story about putting toy cars into a pattern.
Haynes, Max. IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT. The reader has the viewpoint of the driver, looking through the windshield at a variety of animals and people encountered on the road.
Rex, Michael. MY RACE CAR. A little boy describes his car, which turns out to be a toy.
Marshall, James. THE CUT-UPS CRACK UP. Spud and Joe take the principal’s car out for a ride.
Coy, John. VROOMALOOM ZOOM. Daddy and Carmela take an imaginary car trip.
Maccarone, Grace. CARS, CARS, CARS. Rhyming, fun story about all types of cars.
Barracca, Sal. THE ADVENTURES OF TAXI DOG. Maxi, a stray dog, is adopted by cab driver Jim in New York City. A Reading Rainbow book.
Burningham, John. MR. GUMPY’S MOTORCAR. Everyone piles into Mr. Gumpy’s car in this fun story.