“Little Blue Truck and Racer Red”: Alice Schertle’s Heartwarming Lesson in Friendship, Humility, and Finding Your Own Pace

Engines Roar, But Kindness Wins: The Gentle Brilliance of Little Blue Truck and Racer Red

The thrill of the race is a familiar joy to children—fast cars, loud engines, the cheering crowd. But in Little Blue Truck and Racer Red, Alice Schertle offers something far more meaningful than just a need for speed. This isn’t a story about winning the race. It’s about understanding why the race matters—and who you’re running it for.

From the very first page, the contrast is clear: Little Blue’s warm, familiar energy set against Racer Red’s sleek swagger and turbo-charged confidence. But what could’ve been a simple tale of slow vs. fast instead becomes a nuanced, emotionally rich parable. Schertle uses her trademark rhythmic prose to create a world full of motion, yet grounded in values that resonate far beyond the page. It’s not just about the race. It’s about how you race, and who you become while you do.

The illustrations, as always, are vibrant and textured—full of charm and kinetic warmth. The track isn’t just a setting; it’s a stage where personality is expressed through movement and color. Red zips through with dramatic flair, while Blue rolls in steady and true, his quiet confidence blooming with each page turn. And when one character stumbles, the heart of the book shines through: “The best kind of fast,” Blue reminds us, “is the kind that knows when to slow down.”

There’s something deeply comforting about how Schertle layers moral lessons within action-packed scenes. She never moralizes. Instead, she shows children how to make space for others, how to notice when someone needs help, and how to value presence over performance. The pacing supports this beautifully—quick and exciting where it needs to be, then deliberately slowing down for reflection and emotional resonance.

By the end, it isn’t the roar of engines that lingers, but the echo of kindness, the rhythm of shared laughter, and the feeling of being seen—not for how fast you go, but for how much heart you bring with you.

Who Should Read This

Little Blue Truck and Racer Red is a perfect read-aloud for families with young children, educators teaching lessons in empathy and sportsmanship, and any adult who wants to offer a gentle reminder that showing up with kindness counts more than finishing first. Fans of The Little Engine That Could or Otis will find a familiar emotional warmth, and readers new to the Little Blue Truck series can jump right in with this stand-alone gem. Best suited for ages 3–7, but with enough charm and heart to win over anyone who’s ever felt overshadowed, or overlooked, in a world obsessed with speed.