Elbow Grease vs. Motozilla by John Cena

Illus. by Howard McWilliam. Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9781524773533.
(Age: 3-10) Brightly coloured illustrations draw the reader into this picture book depicting five monster truck brothers competing in a demolition derby against Motozilla, 'that gnarly monster who turns trucks into crunch sandwiches'. He is pretty scary. The book will be a useful tool to generate conversation about a variety of emotions and relationship skills.
Definitely one to read aloud, as the language in the book varies from quite simple to very complex words and information. The book uses both conventional text and speech balloons to convey its overt message of the value of cooperation, encouragement and hard work.
The book will appeal to 3 to 10 year olds, particularly those who enjoy a story with conflict, trucks and a dose of competitiveness.
Jan Barwick