No one would argue that one of the problems with children’s toys and books is the way in which they are marketed for brand loyalty.  It’s a little unnerving to have children at the age of three correctly identifying brands.  In spite of this, there are the occasional books that, although laden with product placement, transcend the normal gimmicky children’s product stigma.  Two of these books are I’m a Great Big Tow Truck, by Michael Anthony Steeleand Tow!, by Darice Bailer.  These two stories, released by Tonka and Matchbox respectively, follow the adventures of two tow truck drivers as they rescues people, and animals, that are stuck in their cars.

I’m a Great Big Tow Truck! focuses heavily on the theme of helping others.  In fact, one of the main narrative points of the book, aside from describing the ins and outs of towing, is showing the tow truck driver (who emphasizes, “I like to help people”) and his clients interact, complete with the ever so important, “Thank you!”

Tow! follows the adventures of Leo the flat-bed tow truck driver.  While most of the situations that Leo finds himself in are situations where cars or other vehicles (even an airplane) are broken down, the story also invites children to think outside the box.  In one case, Leo tows an antique fire truck to a parade so it won’t get damaged.

My older son tells me that he likes tow trucks because “Tow trucks are pretty cool.”  But when I asked him why he liked these two tow stories so much (for they are probably the most asked for stories in our house), he told me that he likes them because “I like to help people and those guys that drive the trucks like to help people, too.”  While it seems like an unlikely place to get a life lesson, these two board books have helped us as parents highlight the importance of thinking of other people.  As any parent will tell you, that’s probably the most important lesson you can teach.