Reviewed by Jessica J. – I received a complimentary book and tractor toy to facilitate my review. My opinion is honest and not influenced by compensation.
Have you ever wondered where the word Horsepower comes from? Find out in this new book called Big Tractors with Casey & Friends written by Holly Dufek and illustrated by Paul E. Nunn. Holly Dufek is wife and mother of three children. She has dedicated 15 years to writing and editing educational curriculum. She writes about a girl named Casey who has a lot of work to do on Happy Skies Farm along with her friends Sammy and Big Red who are tractors. Casey has a little sidekick Tillus, a worm, who will dig deep into the history and some fun facts through out the book. Dufek worked beside illustration artist Paul E. Nunn to capture the minds of young readers by adding illustration cartoons through out the book along with live photographs to keep the reader knowledgeable of how powerful these tractors are on the farm.
Big Tractors with Casey & Friends: Shows how the biggest, most powerful tractors handle the demanding jobs of pulling and powering on the farm. Find out how Big Red and Sammy-the biggest tractors on the farm-use their powerful muscles to work in the field with the rest of the team. Learn about the science of farming and discover how advanced technology makes Big Red and Sammy special.
My Thoughts: Holly Dufek challenges the mind of readers by introducing new vocabulary by highlighting words throughout the pages. She also added a glossary within the book to share the words with her readers, too.
I also really liked how real photographs were incorporated into the illustrations. My family and I live in a very agricultural environment where we have tractors driving down our streets. I found this book to be a perfect fit in expanding our child’s mind with real information and valuable lesson. This book is hard bound with thin pages and the matching toy tractor is awesome to play with while reading along to Big Tractors with Casey & Friends.
This tractor toy and book set would make a great gift for the little tractor-lover in your life.
More in the “Casey & Friends” Book Series
Written by Holly Dufek, Illustrated by Paul E. Nunn | Published by Octane Press
Ages 4-8 | 32 pages | 9×9-inch hardcover | $14.99 each
Follow Casey the farmer, Tillus the worm, Big Red the tractor, and a whole cast of cartoon equipment characters who teach important life lessons gleaned from the farm, like thinking ahead and working as a team. Each title is licensed by CASE IH and highlights a different aspect of farm equipment and technology with educational sidebars, picture glossaries and fun farming facts for added learning possibilities.
A Year on the Farm with Casey & Friends (Jan. 2015) introduces children to the world of modern farming by teaching them about the different jobs a farmer does each season. Casey and her team show how tractors, combines and other equipment: plant and harvest crops, work in the farmyard, and care for animals. Learn how farming involves planning for the year, reacting to the weather, and working as a team.
Combines with Casey & Friends (June 2015) explains the step-by-step processes used to harvest crops by the most complex machines on the farm. Follow Cody and Kellie—the combines of Happy Skies Farm—as they do the work of three machines: gathering, separating, and unloading grain and corn.
Planters & Cultivators with Casey & Friends (Sept. 2015) features the specialized farm equipment used to cultivate, plant and spray crops. Learn how Tammi the Tiller, Evan the Early Riser Planter and Peter the Patriot Sprayer work together to make this year’s crop bigger than ever. Explore the science of soil and discover how Casey’s team keeps it healthy.
GIVEAWAY
Enter to win a Big Tractors book and Toy Tractor using the Rafflecopter form below. We will choose one winner after 5/23/15. Good luck! (Open to US, 18+ only)
