Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

An "ice-shaving, snow-eating" Zamboni smoothes out the rink during a hockey game's intermission. But this machine works slowly--can the Zamboni finish the task in time? Jim McMullan demystifies this process in a sequence of cutaway shots. Text color and style vary by spread (and Zamboni's mood). Fans of I Stink! and I'm Big! (and more) will enjoy the machine's bravado. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Adding to their list of many vehicular tributes, the McMullans take on an often overlooked large machinethe Zamboni. Full of bravado and swagger, the Zamboni zooms out after the hockey game's first period ready to smooth the ice. However, it has to compete with a big-talking announcer, who starts shouting on the title-page spread. "WHOA! / HE'S DOWN! / HE'S DOWN! / . / Nobody can skate / on ice this rough." Not to worry. The Zamboni is here. The announcer continues to egg it on: "Zamboni machine, ya / move like a turtle. / Lookthe clock's ticking! / Hit the gas! Finish up / so we can get back to the game!" A Zamboni's job can't be rushed. It needs to thoroughly check the ice before deciding how much to shave and then: SHAZAMBONI! The ice is clean again. The Zamboni explains all of its resurfacing components: the augers, the blade, the wash water, the vacuum, and more. But it's a race against the clock. The Zamboni only has 18 minutes to do the job. Luckily, it keeps its cool. Staccato, clipped quickness and plenty of onomatopoeia"VZZZZZZZZZZT"make this a read-aloud success. Who knew ice could be this much fun? (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.