A cheerful sun awakens a sleeping metropolis, and garbage trucks and joggers take to the streets. With each spread, the day progresses. Rhyming text, jam-packed with action, propels the day forward, as each refrain announces the inhabitants' intentions: "Work time," "Lunch time," "Play time," "Party time." Exuberant onomatopoeia incorporated into the artwork follows the refrains, as trucks vroom, vans dash, and firetrucks flash. The frenetic pace finally slows at day's end, as stores close, parties come to an end, and revelers walk home. Hushed tones denote the need for sleep. Carpenter's retro-styled computer illustrations have a simple charm. Each spread offers something of interest, whether in pattern, composition or character. Done in a simple palette primarily of yellow, blue and red, with a base tone reminiscent of newsprint, the cheery artwork also captures the activity and grit of the city.

Young vehicle-lovers will rev their engines for more. (Picture book. 2-6)-- "Kirkus"

"Finally, we have another onomatopoetic read-aloud in "Zoom! Zoom! Sounds of Things that Go in the City," which takes us through a day's worth of urban cacophony. Tad Carpenter's angular, primary-colored illustrations are a perfect visual counterpart to the rattles, bangs, and whooshes in Robert Burleigh's text; any child obsessed with trucks or backhoes or trains or steam shovels should get a jolt of pleasure from the vehicular energy on display here. "Zoom! Zoom!" seems as if it must be set in New York - until, contrary to the famous Frank Sinatra song, the city goes to sleep. New Yorkers, openhearted and not at all myopic when it comes to pride of place, will forgive Burleigh that snub, while comforting themselves with the knowledge that no one ever says: "Wow...Phoenix! Just like I pictured it."

--Bruce Handy, NYTBR--New York Times Book Review