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CM . . .
. Volume XXII Number 17. . . .January 8, 2016
excerpt:
From the author and illustrator duo that created I Stink (about a garbage truck), I�m Dirty (about a backhoe), and I�m Brave (about a fire engine), comes another crowd-pleasing homage to a heavy-duty machine. A hockey game is tied in the first period, and the fast-talking sports announcer gives a running commentary on the state of the chipped and pitted ice surface: �OOH, that�s GOTTA hurt. Nobody can skate on ice this rough. I mean NOBODY!� Not to worry, at intermission the trusty �blade-packing, ice-shaving, snow-eating, water-spraying, slush-slurping, towel-dragging triple-tank truck� Zamboni has it all under control. With the clock ticking, the crusty broadcaster hurls insults (�YA MOVE LIKE A TURTLE � HIT THE GAS! FINISH UP SO WE CAN GET BACK TO THE GAME!�), but Zamboni stays Zen-like in his focus and can�t be rushed until the whole rink glistens like glass. McMullan�s watercolour illustrations are packed with witty details. The cool-as-a-cucumber Zamboni machine has oodles of personality, with big square eyes, a hood that sports a charming smile, and a quirky refrain of �SHAZAMBONI, baby�). Readers are afforded an �X-ray vision� view of the Zamboni�s inner workings, and close ups show the blade, level auger, paddle and vacuum, all in whirling action. In this fun read-aloud, there are plenty of sound effects that children will love to echo, from the �SPRRRRRITZ� of the warm-water pipe, to the �BUZZZZZ� of the buzzer. Fans will agree, the real hero on the ice in I�m Cool, is the Zamboni machine. Highly Recommended. Linda Ludke is a librarian in London, ON.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca. Copyright � the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
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