"Best of" Lists

Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest:

Books About Cars, Trucks, and Trains

Some kids seem born with a fascination for anything with a motor, a couple of axles, and a steering wheel. If your kids are into cars, trucks, tractors, and trains, these books are sure to get them vrooming. For more of our picks to make young kids happy, see our Best Books for Preschoolers and Read-Aloud Books.
Big machines smiling and working on a farm with a red barn
BOOK

Farming Strong, All Year Long

age 2+

Rhyming fun for big machines through all seasons on a farm.

By: Sherri Duskey Rinker (2022)
See full review
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site Poster Image
BOOK

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site

age 2+

Charming bedtime book is magic for truck lovers.

By: Sherri Duskey Rinker (2011)
See full review
Little Excavator Poster Image
BOOK

Little Excavator

age 2+

Fun, fast-paced construction story is truck lover's delight.

By: Anna Dewdney (2017)
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Mighty, Mighty Construction Site Poster Image
BOOK

Mighty, Mighty Construction Site

age 2+

Cheerful trucks show teamwork at its best.

By: Sherri Duskey Rinker (2017)
See full review
Moo! Poster Image
BOOK

Moo!

age 2+

Silly read turns kids into masters of social interpretation.

By: David LaRochelle (2013)
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Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go Poster Image
BOOK

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go

age 2+

Excellent vocab builder is also big wacky fun.

By: Richard Scarry (1974)
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Are We There Yet? Poster Image
BOOK

Are We There Yet?

age 3+

Car trip turns to time travel in highly imaginative story.

By: Dan Santat (2016)
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Construction Site Mission: Demolition! Poster Image
BOOK

Construction Site Mission: Demolition!

age 3+

Truck team works hard to knock building down in fun tale.

By: Sherri Duskey Rinker (2020)
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Go, Dog. Go! Poster Image
BOOK

Go, Dog. Go!

age 3+

Go, new readers. Go!

By: P. D. Eastman (1961)
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I'm Dirty! Poster Image
BOOK

I'm Dirty!

age 3+

Great read-aloud for truck-crazed kids.

By: Kate McMullan (2006)
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The Little Engine That Could Poster Image
BOOK

The Little Engine That Could

age 3+

Charming, encouraging picture book engages and inspires.

By: Watty Piper (1930)
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Otis Poster Image
BOOK

Otis

age 3+

Sweet, nostalgic friendship tale with a truly classic look.

By: Loren Long (2009)
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Three Cheers for Kid McGear! Poster Image
BOOK

Three Cheers for Kid McGear!

age 3+

New girl truck saves boy trucks in exciting rescue tale.

By: Sherri Duskey Rinker (2019)
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With Any Luck, I'll Drive a Truck Poster Image
BOOK

With Any Luck, I'll Drive a Truck

age 3+

Rhyming text and trucks galore make natural kid pleaser.

By: David Friend (2016)
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Work, Dogs, Work: A Highway Tail Poster Image
BOOK

Work, Dogs, Work: A Highway Tail

age 3+

Dogged crew cheerily shows how roads and bridges are built.

By: James Horvath (2014)
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All the Way to Havana Poster Image
BOOK

All the Way to Havana

age 4+

Celebration of Cuban family and ingenuity has gorgeous art.

By: Margarita Engle (2017)
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The Big Book of Trains Poster Image
BOOK

The Big Book of Trains

age 4+

Draws in railroad buffs and reluctant readers.

By: Christine Heap (1998)
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Bulldozer's Big Day Poster Image
BOOK

Bulldozer's Big Day

age 4+

Fun birthday tale for preschool truck lovers.

By: Candace Fleming (2015)
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Jon Scieszka's Trucktown: Smash! Crash! Poster Image
BOOK

Jon Scieszka's Trucktown: Smash! Crash!

age 4+

Young truck fans will love this boisterous duo.

By: Jon Scieszka (2008)
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Let's Go for a Drive! An Elephant & Piggie Book Poster Image
BOOK

Let's Go for a Drive! An Elephant & Piggie Book

age 4+

Silly tale gives new readers a fun lesson in being flexible.

By: Mo Willems (2012)
See full review