Crane Jane! [Big Jobs, Bold Women]
by Andrea Zimmerman; illus. by Dan Yaccarino
Preschool    Holiday    32 pp.
7/23    9780823451586    $18.99
e-book ed.  9780823455355    $11.99

This follow-up to Firefighter Flo! (rev. 1/23) features more spirited rhymes and enjoyable noises to introduce Jane’s important work as a crane operator. “Jane’s in her cab, controls in hand. / The giant crane’s in her command. / CLANG-CLANG! CLANG-CLANG! CLANG-CLANG!” After punching the clock (“KERCHUNK!”), Jane works the crane to move cargo to ships and then shares lunch with a seagull friend (“YEOW!”). The job becomes more stressful when the weather takes a turn and Jane needs to move big trucks off a ship. The bright contrasting colors darken as the wind intensifies, and while Jane moves a final fire truck, the bold shapes and lines of the digital illustrations lurch at alarming angles. The text declares the danger on a red background, but Jane remains focused and careful on her yellow background. In the end Jane needs help, and her seagull friends provide critical ballast where needed. When the fire truck is safely on the ground (with the firefighting team readers may recognize from the previous book), Jane rewards her seagull friends with treats and heads off to bed after a tough job successfully completed (“HOORAY!”). Even very young listeners can follow this exploration of Jane’s job and workday. With its inspiring female main character, brush with danger, shout-worthy onomatopoeia, and peaceful bedtime conclusion, the story will likely resonate through many repeat readings.

From the July/August 2023 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.