Carrie Finison

Construction pigs? You bet! This crew not only delights with antics, energy, humor, and heart but slides in a bit more knowledge on how roads are created.

The fair is coming, and Rosie realizes that there will have to be a road to make sure the visitors can get there. Bright and early, she sits down and drafts the plans. After printing, she wakes her crew, and they are off to get the project done. From marking to measuring, from digging to road grating, every step needs to be completed, one show more after the other. But mistakes, a bee, and other unexpected issues might put a wrench in their plans.

While young construction, tractor, and building fans are obviously going to enjoy this one, other readers will also get caught up in the fun. These pigs are on a mission, and they know what they are doing. Well, at least, Rosie does. The text flows along with enjoyable rhyme and keeps the plot clear and moving, while the illustrations add havoc, lightness, and play. This is a busy crew, whose determination inspires and will have readers wanting to jump in and build the road, too. There's never a boring moment, and the tale packs more than a couple surprises, guaranteeing that it isn't a mundane read.

Humor mixes well into the hard work, and the illustrations do a lovely job at adding the right details to make every scene sit. It's smile-worthy just to gaze at them to see what's happening, since there is quite a bit going on.

But my favorite aspect of this read is the construction information. It goes through the general flow of steps in creating a road. From planning to painting, the various steps and machinery demonstrate how much work and time (and care) goes into a road. Don't expect details, though, because that's not what this one is about (and wouldn't fit the age group, either). It sticks to basis knowledge, and that works wonderfully. All along, the energy and humor hold strong to create a fun read, which will have listeners smiling and giggling, too. show less

Don't Hug Doug - he doesn't like it! Don't worry, though: Doug likes YOU. He just doesn't like hugs. Unless they are just-right hugs from his mom, at bedtime. Are you Doug's mom? Is it bedtime? So - no hugs! But Doug does love high fives.

What about these other people - can you hug them? Maybe - you need to ask! Sometimes it's yes; sometimes no; sometimes only on Tuesdays. The illustrations are as clear and humorous as the text, and there's even a big hand for readers to give a high five at show more the end - if they want to.

A perfect book about consent: one that establishes clear boundaries and explains the reason for them with plenty of humor and no didacticism at all. Brava!

See also: Will Ladybug Hug? by Hilary Leung and Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor show less

Construction silliness with a quartet of pigs. Rosie is the team lead, with the plan and the know-how to do each job right. Her crew are well intentioned, but mess everything up! Rosie goes behind them to fix, until she is so worn out she falls asleep before the last step of the project! Will the crew wake her up? How will they know what to do? Spoiler alert: they figure it out and check their work to complete the job. So fun, with great artwork of four distinct pigs. I am not sure if I show more could share the tale of Rosie, Curly, Pinky, and Stinky in storytime without feeling like all the adults are silently snickering, but I do love this one. show less

I am not a hugger, so this was pretty easy to identify with. I liked the stress on consent and individuality.

But I did not like the swerve into high fives; we need a sequel about that scourge on humanity (as well as fist bumps). Maybe Don't Flash Dom Your Palm (You Left Hanging Isn't His Problem).