Book description from Goodreads: “There’s a new truck on the road and he goes fast— turbo fast; from New York Times bestselling author Jean Reagan comes a social-​emotional picture book about slowing down and learning new skills. Turbo Truck has always stayed in his lane. That lane being the fast one. But when the only job left is one that calls for a delicate hand at the wheel, Turbo has the chance to prove to everyone—and himself—that he can travel at more than one speed. As Turbo slows down, he discovers the satisfaction of a job well done (even one with no impressive accelerations) and the sights only visible from the slow lane.”

Educational Activities inspired by Turbo’s Special Delivery:

• Before Reading–From looking at the front cover: 
  • What do you think the story might be about, based on the title and cover of the book?
  • What characters do you think might be in this story?
  • What do you know about trucks? How do they work, and what jobs do they do?
  • What are you wondering about as you look at the front and back cover?
  • What questions would you like to ask the author–or the illustrator!–before reading the book?
• After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
  • What made Turbo different?
  • If you were in the story, what would you hear, see, smell, and feel at the warehouse?
  • How did you react when Turbo didn’t get a job? Has anything like this happened to you before?
  • How worried were you about Turbo successfully handling the special delivery?
  • Was there a moment in the book that surprised you?
  • What was your favorite part of the story, and why?
  • After the events of this story, how might Turbo act differently in the future?
  • Would you suggest this book to a friend? Why/​why not?
• Turbo Truck Craft: Create a detailed model of Turbo using cardboard, bottle caps for wheels, and paint. Focus on making parts of him, like wheels or doors, move in slow motion. Decorate Turbo with colors as seen in the book. As you build, think about how each part of a truck works and why slowing down might be important for Turbo.
• Slow Race Challenge: Organize a race where the slowest person to reach the finish line wins. Mark a starting and finishing line in a safe outdoor area. Discuss strategies to move slowly and steadily, and observe how different it feels compared to a regular race. Talk about the importance of patience and how it relates to the story.
• Further Reading: Turbo’s Special Delivery features a very special truck. Here are some other picture books about trucks (and truck-​like things). Which of these have you already read? Which of the others would you want to read first? (Click on any book cover for more information on these titles!)