The Wheelies Series by Sarah Reju

The Wheelies series features Coop, the youngest member of his automotive family, learning how to clean up, help out, and serve others.

Coop Helps Out by Sarah Reju, illustrated by Tania Rex. New Growth Press, 2024, 32 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
• Recommended for: ages 4-8

Coop loves nothing more than greeting his Pops at the end of the day after Pops has finished his garbage truck duties. In addition to a smile and a “cuddle”,* Coop loves to pull the big lever on Pops. But one day, another car mentions how much Pops smells after his long work day. Suddenly, Coop begins to notice, too. Come to think of it, Pops’s paint is looking dingy, too. Coop starts to become embarrassed by his own dad, even though he used to look up to him so much.

*can cars really cuddle? This reader wants to know.

Then one day, Pops gets sick. While he’s recovering, Coop learns what his dad actually contributes. Pops has been serving the Lord this whole time by cleaning up messes without complaining. Coop decides to start helping, and soon the entire community is pitching in to clean up while Pops recovers.

Coop Learns He Can by Sarah Reju, illustrated by Tania Rex. New Growth Press, 2025. 32 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
• Recommended for: Ages 4-8

In the latest Wheelies series installment, Coop is tagging along with big sister Joy (a Jeep). They’re going off-roading! It’s going to be so much fun!

Except that Coop wasn’t designed for off-roading. After getting banged up and scratched up, he has to settle for watching Joy zip around and over rocks and other obstacles. Suddenly, Joy’s tire goes flat and she’s also sinking! But can Coop actually help her? Is he designed for this?

The Wheelies Series take young children’s love of cars and trucks and mixes it with theologically-sound teaching about how God made us. Each book (three to date) features helpful resources in the back for parents about how to model what the book teaches and how to share the gospel with their children. Very much books-with-a-message, these are cute stories that still make for fun read alouds.

Bottom Line: Consider stocking your church library or Christian school library with these books for classroom read alouds; young fans of the movie Cars and similar shows will probably enjoy these stories also.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: Three other recent picture books from New Growth Press.
• Reviews: Home Is Right Where You Are by Ruth Chou Simons is another lovely recent Christian picture book.
• Reviews: Every evidence of beauty and design points to the Creator who knows and loves us intimately. A World of Praise offers worship with warm illustrations.

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