Bulldozer Goes to School - (Bulldozer and Friends) by Elise Broach

About the Book

Bulldozer is nervous about his first day of school, but at the end of the day he decides it is not so bad.

Book Synopsis

Bulldozer is nervous about his new school year and worried he won't fit in. His friend Millie tries to reassure him, but Bulldozer isn't convinced...especially when he gets to his classroom and things start going wrong. But just when he's sure his day couldn't get worse, something amazing happens! The first day of school proves to be special for everyone, all because of Bulldozer.

Perfect for kids learning how to read on their own, the second book in this endearing series follows Bulldozer through the challenges and rewards of going to school.

★ "This deceptively simple story successfully addresses the fears and worries of young children and offers positive solutions that will encourage the resilience needed to overcome them. The five chapters use simple vocabulary that makes the story accessible to young readers. A collection of creative word play activities in the back helps students build and enhance their reading skills. . . simple black-and-white line drawings shaded in orange, y­ellow, and gray that beautifully captured the heart of the story. VERDICT Sure to be a hit with vehicle lovers, this engaging title for early chapter book readers cleverly uses a bulldozer child protagonist to address social fears about new situations and friendships. Highly ­recommended." - School Library Journal, starred review

Review Quotes

Praise for Bulldozer's Big Rescue:
★ "Broach and Murphy rev up for a promising new series starring a lonely anthropomorphic construction vehicle.... Bulldozer's monologue and the characters' dialogue are spot-on, beautifully conveying the protagonist's doubts and fears, irritations and resentments, hopes and wishes, and pride at stepping out of his comfort zone.... An enthralling tale about doing the heavy lifting of making friends."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Bulldozer is a fully fleshed-out character; young readers will relate to his fears and conflicting desires to appease others and stand up for himself. This sweetly simple story...addresses sometimes-challenging issues surrounding meeting new people with a light and understanding touch, and expressive b&w line drawings with muted orange accents...bring Bulldozer and his world to life."

--Publishers Weekly

★ "This deceptively simple story successfully addresses the fears and worries of young children and offers positive solutions that will encourage the resilience needed to overcome them. The five chapters use simple vocabulary that makes the story accessible to young readers. A collection of creative word play activities in the back helps students build and enhance their reading skills. . . simple black-and-white line drawings shaded in orange, y­ellow, and gray that beautifully captured the heart of the story. VERDICT Sure to be a hit with vehicle lovers, this engaging title for early chapter book readers cleverly uses a bulldozer child protagonist to address social fears about new situations and friendships. Highly ­recommended."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Never obvious or overdone, with expertly matched, orange-tinged artwork, this early-reader winner engages again. Bulldozer's refreshingly honest assessments ("School is...not great, but it's okay," he decides), his often-warring desires to be true to his own needs and to fit in, and his small but deeply satisfying triumphs make him an authentic hero for anyone who's ever felt a bit insecure....Sensitive, relatable, and sweet."--Kirkus

Praise for Duet:
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

* "Narrated by Mirabelle, a goldfinch with an exceptional voice, this soulful story set near Boston offers a bird's-eye view of three friends bound together by their passion for music.... Rich with facts around goldfinches and music, Broach's (the Masterpiece Adventure series) novel employs vivid descriptions ("It comes in a torrent, a rush of silvery notes cascading over one another"), unique characters, and carefully crafted suspense." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "The story involves a treasure hunt, but it revolves around the characters' love of music and the sense of wonder that it inspires . . . Mirabelle's lively, accessible first-person narrative offers a fresh perspective on the lives of birds and keen perception of the human characters. . . . This captivating chapter book is perfect for readers who, like Mirabelle, are sometimes spellbound by music."--Booklist, starred review

About the Author

Elise Broach is the New York Times bestselling author of nearly thirty books for children, including the Masterpiece Adventures chapter book series, picture books such as Bedtime for Little Bulldozer, and the mysteries Duet, Masterpiece, Shakespeare's Secret, The Wolf Keepers, and the Superstition Mountain trilogy. She lives in Connecticut. Elise invites you to visit her at elisebroach.com.

Kelly Murphy has illustrated many popular books for children including Masterpiece, and the Masterpiece Adventures series, as well as Faraway Things by Dave Eggers. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and invites you to visit her on Instagram and Twitter @yllekyhprum and online at kelmurphy.com.