For Hannah MacDonald-Dannecker, growing up in a family of truck drivers shaped her respect and admiration for the profession. Her grandfather and uncle dedicated their lives to the industry, giving her a front-row seat to the sacrifices drivers make and the vital role they play in keeping goods moving. Yet, as she rightly observes, not everyone gets the opportunity to see and appreciate just how integral truck drivers are.
“Everything I can see, everything I can truly touch and hold—it first arrived on a truck,” Hannah shares in an interview with TruckNews.com. “But nobody knows about that. Nobody talks about that.”
Hannah decided to change that narrative by publishing a children’s book, Making it Move: Wonder Workshop, which seeks to help younger generations appreciate the often-overlooked contributions of truck drivers.
“I grew up with this concept of, ‘Let’s revolutionize the way that people see drivers,’” Hannah explains, reflecting on the motivation behind creating the book.
Sharing Stories, Shifting Perspectives
Making it Move tells the heartfelt story of a young girl who, with her mother’s guidance, discovers that her father’s job as a truck driver is critical to “making everything move.” The story showcases the challenges drivers face daily, from traffic jams to unpredictable weather, all while emphasizing the dedication and skill it takes to succeed as a truck driver.
“I had been thinking about [the book] for probably six or seven months at that point and just couldn’t figure out how to keep the respect for the drivers [and challenges they face], while also interesting the kids,” says Hannah. She credits a creative breakthrough last summer—imagining a “Wonder Workshop”—as the inspiration that gave the story its magical and engaging quality. “I was like, ‘Just put them in a little ship, just send them away through an imagination land’ … As soon as I thought about the Wonder Workshop, the rest of it immediately unraveled.”
The vibrant illustrations and relatable characters aim to spark curiosity and admiration for truck drivers in young readers, while also inspiring parents to have new conversations about the hardworking individuals behind the wheel.
Shaping Careers with a Fresh Perspective
For Hannah, the story is about more than shining a spotlight on the trucking industry—it’s about changing how children view careers in general.
“I think most adults have it wrong—the way that we communicate about careers with our kids,” she says. “Oftentimes, we talk about careers with our children as responsibilities, which they are, let’s be very frank…, but there are also incredible opportunities, and we don’t always explain that to children.”
Hannah hopes this more positive and opportunity-focused angle will foster a healthier, more inspiring understanding of work for future generations.
Breaking Stereotypes, Broadening Minds
The book also boldly challenges common stereotypes. From reimagining the typical nine-to-five workday to showcasing a pink truck adored by all—irrespective of gender—it disrupts traditional notions about who truck drivers are and what their workday looks like.
“The truck was beautiful [and pink]. It could be loved by anyone. It wasn’t green, it wasn’t blue—any little boy, any little girl, anybody could really like that. Then the dad, he went to work at night. He went to work in the evening [instead of a nine-to-five],” Hannah explains.
The story concludes with a teaser for the next book in the series, which will shift focus to the girl’s mother stepping into a leadership role within the industry.
“I would love it to be an insanely large series. I’ve got crazy dreams for it,” Hannah says. She envisions expanding the series to shine a light on other skilled trades as well.
Paving the Way for Future Generations
Through her work, Hannah also hopes to spark interest in trucking as a career. She notes that early exposure to a variety of career options can have a significant impact on children’s aspirations.
“I just want people to know how amazing truck drivers are, and I want people to share with their kids how amazing truck drivers are,” she says passionately.
If Hannah’s hopes come true, this book and its potential series could be the start of a broader cultural movement—one that celebrates not just trucking but the essential roles that countless professionals play in making the world go round.
Source: Truck News
Image: Truck News, Making it Move: Wonder Workshop
