Ride the Big Machines Across Canada by C. Mok

Abstract

Mok, Carmen. Ride the Big Machines Across Canada. Toronto: Harper Collins, 2014.“I’m going on a trip from sea to sea. How will I do it? Come ride with me”So begins Ride the Big Machines Across Canada by Carmen Mok, the story of a young boy’s trip across Canada where he imagines driving all of the heavy equipment that he sees along the way. Each double page features the boy in a different province or territory riding a geographically appropriate “big machine” such as a giant dumptruck in Alberta’s oil sands, a streetcar in Toronto, or the ferry to Newfoundland. There are also distinctive provincial/territorial landscapes or cityscapes in the background and Ms Mok has incorporated the provincial flag into each picture as well. The illustrations are colourful and very attractive and the text (just one short sentence on most pages) is rhyming and fun to read out loud.Although the recommended ages for the book are 3-7, the sturdy board book format means that even younger children are also likely to enjoy it. Indeed, my heavy equipment obsessed eighteen month old wanted to view this book over and over again. Young children will enjoy the illustrations and searching for the family motor home in each picture. Parents will enjoy teaching their children about Canada as they read the book together.Recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Liz DennettLiz Dennett is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, with a lifelong passion for great books and early childhood literacy.