Small Walt and Mo the Tow by Elizabeth Verdick

Small Walt and Mo the Tow Reviews

• 
  Shari (Shira)

  So many good things about this book. 1. Love that it reminds me of MIKE MULLIGAN, THE LITTLE HOUSE, and MILLIONS OF CATS. 2. I love, love, love that the tow truck driver is a woman. 3. Finally, a well-paced story with a positive message and engaging illustrations.
• 
  Stephanie

  The artist is very talented, but it seems like they are trying to copy Virginia Lee Burton and the story is just boring.
• 
  Tonja Drecker

  This is a book that will make small truck fans hearts' beat faster.
  
  Small Walt and his driver Gus are more than ready when the big snow storm hits. Plowing and salting the streets is fun, especially when it allows the other people in town to get around. That is, until a car veers off from a forest road and lands in a drift. Small Walt and Gus stand-by ready to help, but it's not a job made for them. Luckily, Mo the Tow is on his way, and the day might be saved after all.
  
  Nothing's better than a more traditional picture book story when it comes to trucks and their heroic deeds. The tale allows the vehicles to come to life with a little personality and a lot of Varrrooomm. The text is simple enough for younger listeners to understand and makes a great read-aloud with sound effects pointed out.
  
  The illustrations are bright, clear and done with love. Every page shows the emotions in a way younger listeners will enjoy and understand. It's one to flip through all alone, and with a reader, a story to enjoy again and again.
  
  The messages is there, but lets the trucks keep center stage. No one can do everything and help is a wonderful thing. Plus, it builds friendships and makes everyone's day better. It's simply a lovely read.
  
  I received a complimentary copy and found it such a nice read that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
• 
  Amy

  Love the illustrations, the story is just okay
• 
  Kaja

  I had a hard time reading this book. It was kind of confusing and we were about 3/4 of the way done and my son says “I do not like this book!” I had to agree with him. 😕
• 
  Christy

  “Rosenthal’s drawings feel like a contemporary take on [Virginia Lee] Burton’s spirit.” —The New York Times Book Review
  
  “Children ages 3–7 will rejoice as in Marc Rosenthal’s retro illustrations the little plow surges into action, rays of purposeful energy shooting off his red chassis.” —The Wall Street Journal
  
  “Delightful, retro artwork and clever text offer another tribute to teamwork and friendship…Three dynamic duos: Gus and Walt; Sue and Mo; Verdick and Rosenthal.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
  
  Small Walt befriends a tow truck when he comes across a car in need of help in this irresistible companion to Small Walt, which Kirkus Reviews called “charming and endearing” in a starred review.
  
  We’re Gus and Walt
  We plow and we salt
  We clear the snow so the
  Cars can go!
  
  A bitter blizzard. A snowbound town. When a car skids off the road, Small Walt and Gus might not have what it takes to save the day on their own. But who does? Mo the Tow to the rescue!
  
  When we need a tow,
  We call on Mo…
  We can depend
  On our new friend!
  
  Text filled with onomatopoeia and Walt’s affirming chants make this story about friendship and accepting help from others a real winner.
• 
  Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*

  Small Walt and Mo the Tow by Elizabeth Verdick, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. PICTURE BOOK Paula Wiseman Book (Simon and Schuster), 2018. $18. 9781481466608
  
  BUYING ADVIORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE
  
  AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
  
  Walt is a little plow who is driven by Gus. While out clearing the roads, they see a car slide on the slick road and end up in a ditch. Gus calls a tow truck named Mo, with his driver Sue and together they pull the car out of the ditch. Walt clears a way and the tow truck follows along and so does the car that had been pulled from the ditch.
  
  The illustrations are really what makes this cute book work. This is great for those who like to see how trucks work. Mo and Walt are adorable and the story is simple and interesting.
  
  C. Peterson
  
  https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
• 
  Mandy

  Childrens picture book. Vintage-style illustrations are the backdrop to this truck-themed story of helping one another. Small Walt is a snowplow, and as he is out salting and plowing with his driver, he witnesses a car go off the road. He wants to help, but his driver calls Mo the Tow. When the tow truck arrives with its driver (Sue), all four of them work together to save the day. Slightly higher stakes than most picture books as the snow continues to fall throughout the story and rescue is not necessarily guaranteed.
• 
  Judy Cummings

  On the first snowfall of the season, I read this book to a class of kindergartners and asked them to review it for me. Their favorite part of the story was its sound. We had a lot of fun making all the truck noises together, such as "swish-swishing" and "varoom." The kids' second favorite part of the book was how the plow and the tow truck worked together to solve their problems. And lastly, everyone was glad that the poor car was rescued from the snow bank. Small Walt & Mo the Tow was a big hit with this kindergarten class and made them eager to get outside and play in the snow.
• 
  Jillian

  This book helped me finally realize what I find so lacking in most truck/construction equipment books: conflict. An actual problem to solve. It's great to learn about heavy machinery and the things it can do, but this book does a great job of actually having something at stake. The driver needs to get home! Rather than just listing - a tow truck pulls cars, a snowplow moves snow - and adding some awesome onomatopoeia, we get a plot that kids can get invested in.
  
• 
  Anthony

  When a blizzard blankets the town, Small Walt and his driver Gus plows and salts the road. When a driver skids off the road, and lands in a ditch Small Walt realizes he's only a plow track, and a tow truck is needed. Mo the Tow and his driver Sue arrives and Small Walt & Mo the Tow free the driver from the ditch using team work.
• 
  Amanda

  It looked kind of vintage, and it was modern in its characters (women and people of color), but the charm that looked it should have been dripping and splashed and just twinkling off of every page was curiously absent for me.
• 
  Robin

  The illustrations give a timeless feel to this charming story of a snowplow and a tow truck. A little bit of plot (more than most truck books, though), and a lot of sound effects. Recommended for truck fans ages 3-6.
• 
  Margaret

  I bought this book for a four year old that loves anything with wheels! I think it will make a good addition to his library. How many cute picture books are there about snow plows and tow trucks? Not many I bet!
• 
  Tina Hoggatt

  Small Walt the snow plow is back and is joined by Mo the Tow as a blizzard causes a car to careen out of control and end up in a snow bank. Children will love the rhyming text with its robust renditions of machine sounds, as well as the new characters and the suspense of rescue.
• 
  Nikki

  Small Walt and Mo the Tow are two characters that I had while growing up in the Midwest. Elizabeth Verdick does a great job of bringing these two characters to life without pushing them too far. Every snowy day should begin with this lovely book.
• 
  Kathleen

  Walt the Snow Plow is out doing his work, when a car skids off the road. With help from a tow truck friend, they are able to save the day.
  
  An average book that the average truck loving kiddo will enjoy, but not one to read over and over.
• 
  Edward Sullivan

  A charming duo. Great retro illustrations.
• 
  Raven Black

  A nice story about friends, snow and helping each other out. Politically correct as Mo's driver is a woman of color.
• 
  Tracie

  Small Walt (a snow plow) and Mo the Tow (a tow truck) work together to rescue a small car during a blizzard.
• 
  Becca

  Retro artwork for a book about helping each other; onomatopoeia.
• 
  Kelly

  Two trucks working together for a common cause.
• 
  Lynn

  Pair with Burton’s “The LIttle Snowplow”
• 
  Chris

  I loved this book mostly because it reminded me of a Virginia Lee Burton story- but with some diversity in the human characters.
• 
  Kristen Thorp

  99/365