  | Exca-Gator Author: Hartman, Brooke | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Exca-Gator and his crew spend the day using their construction equipment to build and play, but when big mistakes get in their way, the team works together to save the day.
| Illustrator: | Slack, Michael |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (12/01/25)
School Library Journal (02/27/26)
Booklist (02/01/26)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/01/2026 Alligators AND excavators? Plus rhyming? And a message of teamwork? Yes, please! ExcaGator lives in a swamp with his friends, who also drive heavy equipment. When the group tackles developing part of the swamp, ExcaGator tries to do everything himself without asking for help—which inevitably results in disaster. His friends explain that they too have something to offer and help him understand the strength inherent in working as part of a team, and together they complete their project. Bouncy, energetic rhyming text relays the story, which will make it a great read-aloud option for preschool audiences. Slack’s digital paintings are light, cheerful, and breezy, and big-truck enthusiasts especially will love the inclusion of a cement truck, a pavement grader, and a dump truck, each driven by one of a menagerie of animals. The strong core message—that it’s a good choice to let everyone contribute to a fun project—will make this a great choice for SEL collections as well. Make room on the shelf for this crowd-pleaser! - Copyright 2026 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 02/27/2026 PreS-Gr 2—Gator loves operating his excavator machine as part of the swamp crew. Each day, he arrives for work announcing himself with a roar: "Here he comes, it's Exca-gator!" Simple yet lively verses convey the boisterous construction work: "Clearing! Clumping! Digging! Dumping!" The trouble is, Exca-Gator wants to do it all; and his impatience and haste lead to a muddy mess. When he whispers "I'm Exca-sorry," his friends remind him that they work best as a crew. Exca-gator rejoins his crew, and all ends well. At day's end, Exca-gator falls asleep dreaming of his team's next project: a library. Digital illustrations match the tale's exuberance with lush, bright colors and playful details that show Exca-gator's high spirits, as well as his crew's expressions of resigned acceptance. VERDICT Text and illustrations present a playful, lighthearted message on sharing that will delight truck-loving children of all ages. Lots of read-aloud potential, and a job well-done—this crew is one worth meeting.—Marilyn Taniguchi - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
