Vroom, Baby Driver, Zoom

This energetic board book follows Baby Driver through an action-packed day of vehicular adventure. ­Alexander’s rhythmic text captures the excitement of imaginative play as the baby transforms everyday activities into high-speed racing s­cenarios, from “guzzling fuel” (bottle time) to navigating living room racetracks with a loyal canine co-pilot. Goulet’s bold, graphic illustrations perfectly complement the racing theme with vivid colors, dynamic ­motion lines, and sound effects right out of a comic book. The baby’s joy radiates from every page as mundane moments (like a diaper change) become thrilling pit stops and ­victory laps. Celebrating the ­boundless go-time of toddlers, who turn almost anything into an adventure, this book is just long enough: dawn to dusk. The racing metaphors work particularly well for bath time, and the satisfying conclusion brings this ­little speedster safely home to sleep. VERDICT A peppy read for vehicle-obsessed toddlers and anyone who appreciates childhood imagination. —School Library Journal In a rush of simple rhyming text, this fast-paced board book uses a racecar metaphor to take viewers through a day driven by a baby’s needs: “Baby Driver, rise and shine! Gear up at the starting line.” Like any racecar, Baby fuels up, does a few laps (in the living room in a toy car meant to support walking), and has a “blow-out” that requires a (diaper) change. Illustrations pop with bright primary colors, black-and-white check patterns, and thick black outlines to further evoke the racetrack. Baby’s footed pajamas, ruddy cheeks, and puppy sidekick keep the day feeling snuggly in spite of its whirlwind speed. In the end, Baby Driver gets a wash (as do some toy cars and the dog) before making it to the finish line with a final “beep!” The story provides plenty of rhythm and onomatopoeia for sharing and making noise with new babies who are speeding through their own daily routines. —The Horn Book