Review Detail

THE DIGGER AND THE DARK is a cute picture book about bedtime and friendship. Digger and the other big construction vehicles have had a long day of work and are settling down to sleep when two raccoons come to play. Instead of sleeping, the vehicles play all night long. They do the same thing for next few nights, playing all night and then working during the days. After a while, the trucks are much too tired and fall asleep right away at night - except Digger, who wants to play. Luckily, the raccoons can tell he is tired, and they help him get to sleep.

What I loved: This is a cute and fun story about friendship, which ultimately results in the construction vehicles and raccoons helping each other to get what they need. The illustrations are very cute and filled with construction scenes that will delight vehicle fans. The text is brief and the pages turn quickly, making this book one that will work well for preschoolers and early elementary school readers.

The font is clear and easy to read throughout, with contrasting colors that make it work even in low light settings. As such, and combined with the sleepy themes of the story, this will work well for a bedtime book pick that shows the trucks all happily asleep at the end of the book.

What left me wanting more: As a small thing, it would have been helpful to show the reasons why the trucks should not play all night, such as being too sleepy during the day or other consequences. There is a little at the end, but for kids who resist bedtime, it would be helpful to point out the reasons why sleep is so important!

Final verdict: THE DIGGER AND THE DARK is a cute picture book about friendship that young vehicle fans are sure to enjoy.