Review Detail

This classic gets a fresh, vibrant treatment from Kubler, and I have to say, it's become an absolute staple in our house! The familiar tune makes it instantly accessible - even my toddler can "sing" along, which is fantastic for phonological awareness and memory development.
What I love about Kubler's approach is how she's updated the imagery while maintaining the song's timeless appeal. The illustrations are colorful and engaging without being overwhelming, perfect for little eyes that are still developing visual processing skills. The transportation theme is naturally appealing to young children, and we've used this book as a launching point for discussions about different types of vehicles and how people travel.
From a child development perspective, this book hits so many important markers. The repetitive structure supports early literacy skills, the rhythm helps with language development, and the sequential nature of the story encourages logical thinking. My preschooler loves predicting which vehicle comes next, and we often act out the different movements described in the text.
However, my favorite part of this book is the diversity of the children in the illustrations. Every shade of person is depicted as well as a wide variety of assistive devices, mobility aids, and other adaptive equipment. It is not a part of the story that some of the children are using disability aid, they are simply children, existing and playing the world (just like their real-world counterparts. I love this approach because it teaches my kids and valuable lesson of belonging when they don't even realize they are learning,