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Book Reviews

Construction Connections by Marissa Santos

Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite

Courtnee Turner Hoyle for Readers' Favorite

Construction Connections is a children’s book by Marissa Santos that follows Tracks, an excavator, who plays in an abandoned construction site. He’s lonely and wishes to make a new friend. Tracks meets Pulley, a crane, and asks her if she wants to build together. She refuses due to a cold but returns the next week, and they become friends. Tracks and Pulley play well together until Pulley learns she will be moved across the county. At first, Tracks is upset, but then he writes letters and makes several phone and video calls to Pulley. The story ends with the two friends connecting metaphorically on a rainbow bridge.

Marissa Santos has written a beautiful book about friendship with vibrant pictures that will catch a child’s attention! Santos depicts an uncommon idea in a children’s book and gives examples of possible insecurities at the story's beginning. She realistically shows children that they may have to attempt a connection with another person several times before they form a friendship. After Tracks and Pulley build a relationship, they learn that Pulley must move, but it doesn’t end their friendship. Instead, they stay connected through letters, calls, and video chats, which helps keep them from loneliness. The theme of connection is present throughout the story as Tracks and Pulley form a link while digging, staying in touch through long distance communication. Construction Connections is a lovely selection for young children apprehensive about making friends. It may also help a child whose friend has moved away.

Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever had trouble making friends? Did one of your friends move homes, and for some reason, you lost touch with each other? Construction Connections is a heartfelt story about two such friends by Marissa Santos. Once, there was an excavator named Tracks on an abandoned construction site. Tracks was lonely and looking for a friend. So when a crane named Pulley comes to the site, Tracks was determined to make a friend. But Pulley had a virus, so Tracks had to wait. Slowly, Tracks and Pulley develop a budding friendship, with Tracks finding Pulley's lost hook and helping her when she was stuck in the mud. Finally, however, a day came when a delivery truck arrives to take Pulley across the country, leaving Tracks alone. But soon, the two friends find a way to stay in touch.

With the advent of social media and the internet, everyone can stay connected even if they are miles apart. In Construction Connections, two newfound friends find the perfect way to keep their friendship forever. Marissa Santos tells a wholesome tale of friendship featuring inanimate objects as the main characters, making the story even more moving and impactful. This is a children's picture book with a poignant message about friendship and how it helps people overcome overwhelming challenges. Tracks and Pulley are adorable characters brought to life through vibrant and colorful artwork. All in all, a brilliant story for kids that even adults will find endearing.

Laura Imaz for Readers' Favorite

Laura Imaz for Readers' Favorite

Marissa Santos's Construction Connections depicts the story of Tracks, a lonely excavator that lives on an abandoned construction site and only wants to make friends. One day, the opportunity presents itself, and despite his initial trepidation, he meets a friendly crane named Pulley. However, their road to friendship will not be simple. From overcoming an illness to locating a misplaced item, this friendly duo will encounter numerous hurdles that prevent them from playing together. They eventually attain their goal, but another obstacle occurs, and they will have to learn how to conquer it. This children’s story accurately portrays how friendships begin, grow, and frequently have to overcome adversity.

Tracks and Pulley's friendship journey is told in a picture book format. This pair of construction machines will have a difficult time conquering the various difficulties in their path, but they will be able to overcome them thanks to their excellent spirits and willingness to be friends. Marissa Santos does an excellent job of depicting the initial difficulties of forming friendships, the subsequent obstacles that arise, and the resourcefulness of a pair who wish to maintain their friendship. I loved the vivid and well-crafted pictures and their excellent connection with each scene. The concluding twist of Tracks and Pulley's modern approach to continuing their friendship worked for me. I wholeheartedly suggest Construction Connections to children as a means of understanding the ups and downs of friendships, as well as the wonderful ways they can stay in touch with their friends even when life separates them.

Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite

Shrabastee Chakraborty for Readers' Favorite

Tracks was probably the loneliest excavator in the world. He had superb features, yet he never felt happy. What he lacked and pined for was a real friend. When a crane named Pulley arrived at the construction site, Tracks finally hoped to find a friend in her. Yet he hesitated to approach her. After some initial issues, however, they became friends. Together, they spent many fun-filled days. However, Pulley soon had to move to another site. How would Tracks fare after losing the only friend he had and how could he somehow connect with Pulley again? To find out, read Construction Connections, a children’s book by Marissa Santos.

Despite its short length, Marissa Santos’s book made an impression on me with its sweet, touching storyline. The colorful, eye-catching illustrations will charm a young audience. The expressions of the characters made them utterly realistic. I loved the subtle humor Santos incorporated into her book. The story showed how friendship can be the most important thing to keep us afloat during the darkest times. Even the most grueling tasks, such as digging, seem easier when you have a friend to accompany you. Through Tracks and Pulley’s friendship, Santos highlighted how being able to laugh together is the secret to building a happy relationship. Construction Connections demonstrates that true friendship transcends time and space. Physical distance should never be an issue if you know how to keep your connections strong. I believe this is a valuable takehome message for young readers and adults too.

Tracks and Pulley's friendship journey is told in a picture book format. This pair of construction machines will have a difficult time conquering the various difficulties in their path, but they will be able to overcome them thanks to their excellent spirits and willingness to be friends. Marissa Santos does an excellent job of depicting the initial difficulties of forming friendships, the subsequent obstacles that arise, and the resourcefulness of a pair who wish to maintain their friendship. I loved the vivid and well-crafted pictures and their excellent connection with each scene. The concluding twist of Tracks and Pulley's modern approach to continuing their friendship worked for me. I wholeheartedly suggest Construction Connections to children as a means of understanding the ups and downs of friendships, as well as the wonderful ways they can stay in touch with their friends even when life separates them.

Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite

Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite

This book reminds us about the value of building relationships and the importance of working to keep them. It will also greatly help young readers and anyone afraid of talking to someone they want to be friends with. Tracks knew he needed to make a friend, but he didn't know how. He was very nervous to start talking to Pulley, but they eventually became best friends. My favorite part was the activity section. As they built and dug, they played and made up songs together. Each word in the text is depicted in vibrant and colorful illustrations, including the songs. Young readers can even role-play the songs. I sang Track's song to my five-year-old brother, and he couldn't wait to jump in to sing Pulley's part. Good friends are important for anyone's health. They help us celebrate good times and provide support during tough times. This book is about making all that possible. Construction Connections by Marissa Santos is a worthwhile work that teaches children how much we owe our well-being to one another

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