I knew we had to add Elbow Grease to our book collection the moment I saw it at Target. The tiny blue monster truck adorning the cover caught my attention because my kid is a big fan of monster trucks. On any given day you can find them scattered all across our family room floor.
I purchased the book unaware of how timely its message would be for my kid.
Elbow Grease is the story of a small, blue monster truck who is different. He stands out when he’s in a crowd of big, bad monster trucks. He doesn’t go as fast. He has a battery that doesn’t stay charged for very long.
Elbow Grease is lacking a lot of things, except one – GUMPTION!!!
The little monster truck always tries his hardest and he never gives up.
It’s a message my kid with developmental delays and learning differences can relate too.
The other day as we drove to speech therapy, I could tell Jackson was anxious. It was Wednesday, which meant reading would be the focus of his therapy session. Reading is hard. Reading causes anxiety. Jackson was on edge and upset about the session awaiting him.
Remember the book we read the other night about the truck named Elbow Grease, I asked.
I heard a muffled yes through his tears.
Remember how Elbow Grease never gave up? Remember how he always tried his best? That’s all you’ve gotta do. I know reading is hard, but all I ask is that you try your best and never give up, just like Elbow Grease.
Talking about the book helped him calm down. We went to speech and he made it through the reading session. I think I even heard him say never give up once or twice.
The message in this book is one my child with Apraxia, Dyspraxia and ADHD needs to hear. It’s a message that will motivate him and encourage him when he’s feeling overwhelmed, defeated or frustrated. It’s a message I will gladly read to him over and over again.