My boys light up whenever they see big trucks working at construction sites. This fascination extends to books featuring these mighty machines. We’ve explored so many together, from adventure-packed stories to rhyming fun to books that celebrate those loud, satisfying truck sounds. Here are some of our favorite construction books for kids that capture all the excitement, noise, and wonder of building.
Tip Tip Dig Dig
By Emma Garcia
Buy from:
This bright board book introduces colorful construction vehicles and the work they do. Little ones will enjoy imitating the sounds of the digger that “dig, dig, digs” to the dump truck that “tip, tip, tips.” The simple text and bold illustrations make this an engaging first construction book for toddlers.
Diggers Go
By Steve Light
Buy from:
Make some noise with eight different construction vehicles. The energetic text and dynamic illustrations capture all the action at the construction site. Kids will love imitating the silly sounds these mighty machines make.
The Wheels on the Dump Truck
By Jeffrey Burton, Illustrated by Alison Brown
Buy from:
This construction twist on “The Wheels on the Bus” follows animal construction workers operating various trucks at a construction site. The familiar tune makes this perfect for singing along while learning about different construction vehicles. This is one of three books in The Wheels on the Trucks boxed set. We also feature The Wheels on the Garbage Truck in our garbage trucks post.
Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy Construction Site
By Richard Scarry
Buy from:
Take a look at the busy, busy construction site to see the equipment and tools the animal construction workers use to do their job. Little builders will learn the names of the many different vehicles labeled throughout the book, from diggers and dump trucks to cranes and loaders. Richard Scarry’s signature illustrations are colorful and detailed. You’ll discover something new each time you read the book. Don’t forget to spot Goldbug (a tiny golden bug character) on every spread!
Love the Busytown world? Find Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy Airport in our airplane travel post.
Stanley the Builder
By William Bee
Buy from:
Myrtle asks her friend Stanley to build her a new house. Follow Stanley and his buddy Charlie as they go through the construction process, step by step. Once the job is complete, Stanley winds down with supper, a bath, and bed. We’ve borrowed this book (and other Stanley books!) from the library more than once. The simple text, bright colorful illustrations, and cheerful characters make them easy, enjoyable reads.
Old MacDonald Had a Truck
By Steve Goetz, Illustrated by Eda Kaban
Buy from:
Read or sing along to this book: a twist on the “Old MacDonald” song featuring construction trucks! The author was inspired to create this book after his son began singing the classic song with alternative lyrics. See the farm animals operate heavy machinery, such as an excavator, bulldozer, and dump truck.
I’m Dirty!
By Kate McMullan, Illustrated by Jim McMullan
Buy from:
Meet a backhoe loader who loves his job—and getting dirty while doing it! Watch him clear a lot full of junk in this noisy, action-packed story. Also check out I’m Stinky, featured in our garbage truck books post. An animated series featuring this best friend duo can be seen on The Stinky & Dirty Show.
Dig, Dump, Roll
By Sally Sutton, Illustrated by Brian Lovelock
Buy from:
This rhyming construction book features fun sounds the trucks make and a question-and-answer format that lets young readers guess which truck is at work. This book is fun to read aloud and will keep kids engaged. Discover what the trucks and builders made at the very end!
Smashy Town
By Andrea Zimmerman & David Clemesha, Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
Buy from:
Mr. Gilly, a demolition man, operates a crane and wrecking ball to demolish old buildings and make room for something new. The bold, colorful illustrations and repetitive text make this another fun story to read aloud. Also check Trashy Town, featured in our garbage trucks post.
Dig, Dogs, Dig: A Construction Tail
By James Horvath
Buy from:
Duke leads a pack of construction worker dogs at a job site as they get to work building something new. Work is interrupted when they discover something mysterious at the bottom of a pit. Find out what they uncover in this story my boys can’t get enough of!
Smash! Crash!
By Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by David Shannon, Loren Long, and David Gordon
Buy from:
Best friends Jack Truck and Dump Truck Dan go around Trucktown doing what they do best: Smash! Crash! Smash-Crash! A mysterious shadow with a big voice follows them everywhere. What does it want? This action-packed story from the Trucktown series is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Kitten Construction Company: Meet the House Kittens
By John Patrick Green
Buy from:
This delightful graphic novel combines kittens and construction—a perfect find for young readers exploring the format! Marmalade is an architect who wants to build. Together with other aspiring kitten builders, they form the Kitten Construction Company and attempt to prove their worth. Will their adorable looks and kitten antics prevent humans from taking them seriously? A fun, accessible introduction to graphic novels for construction-loving kids.
These construction books for kids are entertaining to read and fuel my boys’ fascination with trucks and building. From learning what each truck does to enjoying silly adventures and loud sound effects, there’s a construction book here for every little builder.
Have any of these construction books become favorites in your house? I’d love to hear which stories have captured your little one’s imagination in the comments below.
Happy exploring!