Published: 7 August 2018
Publisher: Candlewick
Illustrator: Bob Graham
Pages: 32
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars
Jack likes trucks. Alex likes dolls. What will they play together? Their new favorite game, of course!
Jack and Alex meet almost every morning in the sandbox at the playground. Jack likes trucks — big ones, the kind that can wreck things. Alex likes dolls — pink ones, with sparkles. And tutus. But Jack doesn’t want to play dolls, and Alex doesn’t want to play trucks. Luckily for Jack and Alex, the day is saved with a little bit of compromise — what about dolls who drive trucks?
I like this book because it’s a great story that easily demonstrates that everyone has different interests, and even if they aren’t what you like, or what society thinks you should like, it doesn’t make it bad or wrong.
The best part is there is no explicit social commentary on it at all. Stott’s story about two kids playing in the park is just that. But in showing these two kids with different interests it’s a wonderful story that reminds people kids (and adults) are allowed to like a lot of things, there are no rules. And it isn’t wrong to like different things from other people.
The faux conflict is great because it sets you up to think there’s going to be an issue but there isn’t (funnily enough it’s all about communication and not just yelling at one another). Stott shows readers once again that kids are accepting and have no predetermined ideas about anything. It’s all about what they are taught and what they are exposed to.
It’s also a great book that shows despite having different interests, you can still get along with someone, and you may even find you have other things in common.
Graham’s illustrations are classic and realistic. The colours and subdued but varied and he captures the feeling of intimacy and playing side by side in a sand pit. There’s enough background detail to make up a full scene but I liked the focus on the two kids for most of the book, especially as it meant they could sort out their own issues without the adults getting involved.
There is nothing to suggest this is an LGBTQIA book, but I love that because it is as a simple reminder that gender nonconforming covers a lot of things, and if that means people understand boys can like dolls and tutus then that is a great lesson learnt.
You can purchase Want to Play Trucks? via the following
