Brooke Hartman and Michael Slack's Exca-Gator! is a rhythmic, rollicking picture book about an alligator in an excavator who learns to collaborate with his friends when his unfettered enthusiasm causes chaos on a construction site.
Readers meet Gator as he bursts from his home "in the deepest jungle swamp" and hops into his yellow excavator. Ready to build ("Here he comes, it's Exca-Gator!"), Gator joins his crew: a frog operating a plow, a duck in a cement truck, and, fittingly, a crane in a crane. Gator's first job goes smoothly, but subsequent attempts to take over jobs better suited to other vehicles go awry, culminating in the excavator crashing into an almost-finished tower. Finally, the crew confronts a remorseful Gator: "We're excited just like you, But--/ We build the best when we're a crew!" Many hands make light work as the crew repairs and rebuilds, finishing up the beautiful park, small pond, and play tower. Still excited after work, Gator draws up plans for the crew's next building project, then slips into sleep.
Hartman (Cute Animals that Could Kill You Dead) builds a text with all the makings of a lively, participatory read-aloud: bouncy meter, consistent call-and-response refrains ("'I will!' hollers Exca-Gator"), and decisive action words ("Clearing! Digging! Clumping! Dumping!"). Michael Slack's digital illustrations have a matte quality to them, giving the primary color-focused art a textured and comforting look. Slack (Squash & Pumpkin) is especially skilled at rendering construction vehicles--with surrounding lines that suggest motion--and depicting facial expressions. Fans of the Little Blue Truck and Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site series will likely have a ball with Exca-Gator!. --Cristina Iannarino, children's book buyer, Books on the Square, Providence, R.I.