I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom! by Joan Holub
Published by Random House Children's Books on June 25, 2013
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Imagination & Play, Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner, Juvenile Fiction / Transportation / General
Pages: 24
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Netgalley
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Goodreads

A construction site crew is busy at work in this rhyming Step 1 story. As the work continues readers are in for a surprise--the "crew" is actually a group of young friends engaged in a fun day of dramatic play. Two sheets of vehicle-themed stickers are included. It's a natural for young readers who love to build and are fans of vehicles that dig, scoop, and sometimes go ka-boom!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)

Genre: Children’s Books / Early Readers

Perfect for: Toddlers, preschoolers, early readers who love construction vehicles

Available on: Amazon (Affiliate link)

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🛠️ ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom!

Author: Joan Holub

Illustrator: David Gordon

Series: Step into Reading – Step 1

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Release Date: January 8, 2008

Format: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 32

Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom! is part of the highly acclaimed Step into Reading series, tailored specifically for emerging readers. Step 1 books focus on preschool and kindergarten-aged children, using big type, short sentences, and picture clues to encourage early literacy.

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🚧 THE STORY

I received this book from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for my honest review — and I’m so glad I did!

This delightful early reader book will immediately capture the attention of any child who’s fascinated by construction trucks. The story follows a lively crew of vehicles — think diggers, dump trucks, and cranes — working together to build something exciting.

Each page features short, descriptive sentences that are ideal for children just learning to read. The repetitive rhythm and action-packed verbs (“Dig! Scoop! Ka-boom!”) help keep young readers engaged while reinforcing word recognition.

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🖼️ THE ILLUSTRATIONS

David Gordon’s illustrations are the real show-stopper here. The bright, bold images pop off each page and make it easy for kids to connect what they see with the words they’re learning.

The trucks are playful, expressive, and full of character — which helps hold the attention of even the youngest listeners. Whether it’s a bedtime story or a practice book for beginner readers, this one is a winner in the visual department.

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🧒 THE CHARACTERS

While the book doesn’t have individual characters with names or backstories, each truck is illustrated with personality. The visual storytelling makes it easy for kids to imagine the machines as teammates, working together toward a fun and shared goal.

There’s also a sweet underlying message that really shines at the end — teamwork and friendship. Without being too overt or preachy, the book shows that when kids (or trucks!) work together, they can build something truly big and exciting.

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🔥 STEAMOMETER

Steam Level: 🧼 Squeaky Clean

No romance, no angst — just good old-fashioned fun with construction vehicles. Perfectly appropriate for all ages.

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💬 OVERALL THOUGHTS

This is a solid Step 1 book that belongs on every toddler’s or preschooler’s bookshelf — especially if they love trucks and machines. I especially appreciated the pacing: there are just enough words on each page to encourage young readers, without overwhelming them or losing their interest.

The ending brings it all together with a feel-good message that encourages cooperative play and creativity. Whether you’re reading aloud to a two-year-old or helping a kindergartener sound out words on their own, Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom! is a fun, engaging, and educational choice.

If your little one is into Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site or Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?, this one will be a hit too.

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👩 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joan Holub is a prolific children’s book author known for her engaging and educational stories for young readers. With hundreds of books to her name, she’s a trusted voice in early literacy, especially through her Step into Reading contributions and the popular Goddess Girls series.

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📸 Don’t forget to pin this review and share with fellow parents and educators looking for beginner reader book recommendations!

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🔗 SHOP THE BOOK

Get your copy of Dig, Scoop, Ka-boom! here:

👉 https://amzn.to/3YYiRjl (Affiliate link)