Amazon.com

"I stink!" How can you not love such swagger and candor? And Kate andJim McMullan's big-eyed, loudmouthed garbage truck really must stink--byits own admission, and given all those smelly bags it's been cramming into itshuge back hopper.

Most kids already love garbage trucks on general principle, and one assumes thatcan only go double for a sass-mouthed, animated dumper like this one, out on itsearly-morning rounds: "See those bags? I SMELL BREAKFAST! Crew? Get me to thecurb! Lights? Blink! Brakes? Squeal! Tail gate? SAY AH!" The many opportunitiesfor loud, large-type sound effects should make for spirited readings, and arecipe for "alphabet soup" lets young readers practice their letters, workingthrough the ABCs from apple cores to zipped-up ziti with zucchini.

The text to I Stink!, while fun, is nowhere near as clever as the art.But fortunately Jim McMullan's fun, fat drawings and type treatments more thanmake up the difference, loading Dumpsters full of personality into thisgrimacing, grinning, growling--even burping!--big rig. Kids will have a goodtime doing diesel-powered imitations, but even more importantly, they'll learnwhere they'd be without their neighborhood trash truck: on top of "MountTrash-o-rama, baby." (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Have you ever heard a 2 year old say Mount Trashorama Baby!?
We read this to our 2 year old son and a couple days later he repeated it back to us! In the stroller, in the car, when the garbage truck would come on Monday mornings.....i think you get the picture! He would say the Alphabet part too! Not only a GREAT book, but also teaches something (whitout seaming to!) at the same time! We love it and the illustrations are equal to the story! GREAT BOOK - a must have for any children's library!

Defecation: The Book
The most testosterone laden picture book ever conceived and executed. You thought "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel" was a tad bit too masculine for your kids? Then forgo the wonders of "I Stink". A rip roaring celebration of the joys of sanitation (THERE's a new word for your kids to learn!) this book follows the daily work of a garbage truck as it makes its daily rounds in the wee hours of the day. The book is so good natured in its exclamations you just can't help but love it either. And trust me, the kids will.

Here's how the book begins. No namby-pamby openers for this morning vehicle. "Who am I? I've got lights. Ten WIDE tires. No A.C., not me. I've got doubles: Steering wheels, gas pedals, brakes. I am totally DUAL OP". You half expect this truck to disintegrate into a series of well-chosen cuss words, it's so certain of its own glory. Acting more like an Oscar the Grouch in garbage truck form, the dirty monstrosity exhibits its own forms of belching before launching into the ABC's of its morning diet. A word of warning: don't read this book too early in the morning. You may find yourself growing nauseous (even as your kids howl for more) reading about fish heads, ugly (stained) underpants, and year-old yams. The authors aren't squeamish about defecation either. Here we can clearly see dirty diapers, kitty litter, and puppy poo (not to put too fine a point on it). The truck then explains how indispensable he (I'm only assuming it's male, but it's a pretty clear guess) is summarizing the predicament we'd be in. Without the Sanitation Department, "You're on Mount Trash-o-rama, baby". Never thought you'd ever hear a garbage truck call you "baby"? You obviously could not have predicted this book.

The authors are careful to thank not only garbage men Earl Harrington and Billy King in their opening, but also "everyone at the New York City Department of Sanitation". It is a fitting tribute, and an excellent book to offer unto them. Capped off by beautiful endpapers (displaying our friend the Garbage Truck in mesmerizing shades of deep blue and turquoise) this disgusting, smelly, filthy book is a class act through and through. Kids love it, grown-ups (that aren't prone to sickness) really get into it, and the world is a better place for it. Garbage workers rarely get their due. Now, they're not only commended for their work, but lauded as well.

My two-year-old's favorite book
And mine, too. You can't beat the art and typography or the story and text. That the authors have done research and write with verisimilitude only adds to the relief and joy that you feel after having read so many boring children's books.

Favorite of boys 2-4+
We love this book! It's a bit tiring to read aloud with all the exclamation points, but the "alphabet soup" recipe guarantees lots of giggles. This truck has attitude to spare and then some. The art is terrific. Highly recommended!

(...)

I Stink
Lately, the preschoolers have gotten into the habit of saying things stink, so they loved this book. We've been telling them not to use "bad" words like stink and this book is one way to get it out of their system. They're absolutely enchanted with the idea of a stinky truck that eats stinky garbage and that talks! They find it hysterical when I pretend to be repulsed by the "stinky" pictures of garbage. Very entertaining book. Excellent text and pictures ... Read more

Book Description

The tow trucks, cement trucks, and newspaper delivery trucks pictured here all help people and will fascinate small children. This very simple picture book about transportation ‘will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers.’ —K.

... Read more

Reviews (5)

The best book ever! (in my 16-month-old's opinion)
My son has recently started saying "truck," and he says it every time he sees or hears a truck (or any other vehicle, for that matter). So I got this book yesterday, and he's already developed a near-obsession with it. We spent 25 minutes (a long time for a toddler) just turning the pages and looking at it this morning, sometimes with me reading, and sometimes with him just exclaiming "truck!" and pointing to every truck on every page. And then this afternoon we read it, oh, 25 times conservatively speaking. My son really wasn't that interested in books at all before a couple of weeks ago, so his fixation on this book is kind of funny. I think we'll get the Machines at Work book next.

A great beginning book
There really isn't much to this simple board book (other editions are currently out of print)--just some simple, geometric drawings in primary colors with a text consisting of basic words in short sentences. But what a great jump into books!

My two-year-old son loves to read this book over and over. We start with the text and then "read" the pictures. ("Where's the purple one going? In the tunnel? That's right!") My son knows all the words and "helps" me read it, which makes him quite proud of himself--and me of him.

A treasury of trucks for the beginning reader
"Trucks," by Byron Barton, is an educational treat for the youngest readers. A very simple text accompanies colorful illustrations of many kinds of trucks. We see a garbage truck, delivery truck, tow truck, dump truck, cement mixer, and more. The artwork of this book is distinctive: the crisp illustrations have an almost mathematical precision to them, and are rich in contrasting colors. I give the book an enthusiastic recommendation.

Excellent!
My two-year old son loves this book. He knows all of the trucks and can 'read' most of the book. When we are driving, he'll occasionally recite a line from the book when he sees a truck. He also loves Barton's 'Planes,' 'Trains,' and 'Boats.'

My son loves all the different types of trucks in the book.
How wonderful it is to have a book that your child wants to read several times a day! My son loves all the different types of trucks and what it is they are doing. I love that it is starting to teach him things like "over" and "through". Please also try "Trains" and "Boats" by the same author, you will enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

Duck's truck is stuck in the muck.

Who will help him out?

First, frog lends a hand. Then sheep helps push, too. But duck's truck won't come unstuck! Can anyone help him get out of the muck? Or is duck out of luck?

Find out in this rollicking read-aloud by the inimitable Jez Alborough.

Reviews (11)

Great book for teaching GOOD manners...
I agree wholeheartedly with the reviews that say "Bad Manners" review is shortsighted to say the least. If you want to engage in passive parenting and not use this book in any interactive and instructive way, then I suppose it's not the best choice. Why? Duck is like many people we meet in the world, not a bad Duck, just a little lacking in the social graces and a tad self-absorbed. Fortunately, he has good friends that model the good stuff and help him with his quandry. His story is told in a fun and engaging way with wonderful rhymes and gorgeous illustrations. It's a great book for engaging youngsters in discussions about things like friendship, patience, problem-solving and gratitude...in a completely age-appropriate way. And it's a fun ride, to boot.

Bad book? Not at all. Perhaps for someone who wants a book to do her parenting for her. But most will find it a treasure. Personally, I find it refreshing that this book teaches little lessons without explicitly telling you what those lessons are. It means I get to talk with my child--and that's what "quality time" is all about! BUY IT!

Please ignore "Bad Manners" below
I am a volunteer reader for the Denver Public Library and I recently read this book to a group of preschool children. It's a fun book! This rhyming and repetition patterns of the text are characteristic of some of the finest books for young people. As far as the content of the story, yes, Duck is a character of suspect temperament, but I thought the author made that clear (Duck is an antihero). You are not expected to cheer for him. Besides as the reader, you should point out Duck's flaws to your listeners (it's your "moral" obligation). Ask your son/daughter how he/she would feel if someone treated him/her the way Duck treats his "friends". I spent time with my listeners and asked them about whether Duck was being nice to the other characters in the story and emphasized the importance of treating people well....check out the book for yourself at a library. ...

Fun For All
Every day I read to my daughter--often the same story many times in a row, which can get tedious. However, this book is fun for both of us. She loves to listen to it and I enjoy the rhythm and fun rhymes even after the fourth time. And we both love the pictures. Some readers feel it lacks moral values; I don't agree--but then I don't limit my storyreading to simply the words on the page. (Even the bible sometimes needs a little explaining.)

We love the duck books!
My son absolutely loves this book and so do I!! Poor duck is always getting into trouble and dragging his friends along with him (literally)! This time his truck is stuck in the muck. All the duck books are great to read over and over again, and they have great pictures as well. ( Fix it Duck is a must have along with this ).

Great Illustrations
I have to admit, I purchased this book for my nephew because of the great illustrations. The story is short, sweet and simple, and the pages are fun to look at. My only complaint is that it doesn't make much sense for a book geared towards very young children to come with a dust jacket. These kind of books need to be pretty much indestructable! ... Read more

Book Description

Here come the trucks: fire engines and dump trucks, big rigs and tow trucks all roar into action. In his first pop-up book since his bestselling Dinosaur Stomp four years ago, Paul Stickland brings together terrific paper-engineering skills with an uncanny knack of infusing realistically-detailed vehicles with charm and humor.

The simple chant-along text-the hallmark of the Sticklands' DINOSAUR ROAR-makes this a fabulous read-aloud must for all young truckers. The sturdy pop-ups are self-activating: an ideal book even for younger readers who will want to peer under the shiny hood of the semi or watch an overheated engine explode in smoke. From the holographic chrome foil on the cover right down to the last dent on a bumper, TRUCK JAM packs unadulterated fun. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

great book but not well made
my daughter loves this pop up book, but two different pages broke on the very first try. they are not easy to glue and tape back down either.

Amazing book!
This is my son's favorite book. Coaxing him to bed with the promise of reading "Truck Jam" makes a parent's job easy! He loves the big bold pictures that jump out in full detail. We usually read the book 2-3 times in a row. It's just long enough to be the perfect bed-time activity. Love it!

Big fun!
This is my son's favorite "comfort book". I bought it for him when he was 3 years old, and now, a year later, I'm having to buy another one--the first one has been loved to shreds. The fact that it took a year is evidence of the wonderful durability of the pop-up images! The pop-up images are both BIG and colorful, and the simple rhymes are quickly learned by heart. My son absolutely loves this book, and will "read" it to himself over and over (when he's not demanding that I read it to him!).

A Fun Book!!
My husband and I purchased this book for our nephew this last Christmas. Since he received it he won't stop asking his mom to read it to him.
The pictures in this book are so cool and fun! I may actually buy this for my other nephew for his birthday in March.

great for young boys!
my son spotted this book and wouldnt put it down! i would recommend it for anyone who knows a little boy (or girl) who is into cars and trucks. the pop ups are large, colorful, and fabulous. im going to collect the other books by the same author. ... Read more

Book Description

Trailer trucks, tow trucks,
trucks that sweep the street.
Trucks that crawl, trucks that roll,
trucks that mix concrete.

Reviews (3)

Great Book
As a preschool teacher, I have an extensive collection of children's books. My 18 month old, pulled this one from the bookshelf and has not let it out of his sight since. I have actually just ordered a third copy, the first two are pretty worn already.

Perfect "starter book" for little truck lovers!
This book is a wonderful first truck book for little truck fans! My son's first word was truck. I bought this book when he was 18-months old. He is 3 1/2 now and still never tires of listening to the rhyming text and looking at the endearing pictures! It's great for Mommy, too, because it's so easy to read when you're tired, unlike a lot of the truck books that label the parts and have too much information for little ones. We also enjoy "I Love Trains!" by the same author.

Great book for little truck lovers!
My 18 month old absolutely adores this book. He is fascinated with "real-life" trucks and this book explains in a very easy manner all the different types of trucks he sees everyday--mommys and daddys may even learn something! The narrative is short and sweet which is a must with this age group. And the pictures are fun and colorful. Definitely recommended reading for any little truck lover out there. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One sunny day on Merryhill Farm, all the trucks are busily toiling,including Trundle the Tractor and Bee-Bee the Backhoe. All, that is, except forone rusty old forgotten fellow: Dumpy the Dump Truck. Relegated to the weedsbehind the barn, Dumpy has been gathering dust and mouse nests for a long time.And it looks like the end is near when Farmer Barnes decides it's time for theold barn to come down, and Dumpy to be, well, dumped. "But I love Dumpy," saysCharlie, the farmer's son. "It's so sad to get rid of something you love just tomake room for something new." His grandfather, Pop-Up, agrees, and before theyknow it, the two are up to their ears in grease, paint, and tools. But can theyfinish sprucing up Dumpy before the barn has to come down?

Dumpy the Dump Truck is the first in a series about the trucks andtractors of Merryhill Farm by Julie Andrews Edwards (author of The Last of the Really GreatWhangdoodles and LittleBo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea , and beloved star of MaryPoppins and The Sound of Music) and Emma Walton Hamilton. Loyalty,teamwork, and an ever-so-subtle message about the value of the elderly are atthe heart of this book. After all, Pop-Up isn't ready to be dumped yet either!Tony Walton's watercolors are filled with friendly-featured vehicles andpleasantly scratchy-looking farm animals and humans. If you like Dumpy, don't miss Dumpy at School! (Ages 4 to 7) --EmilieCoulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

I have grown to HATE this book!!!
I have read this book at least once a day for the past year. I HATE IT! My son loves it. He is 2.5 now, but dumpy was one of his first vocab words. This is not a modern book, but a slow paced family oriented view of life as it was/ought to be. Be prepared to be animated and read with lots of noises. The whole collection is full of them. Thanks to these books, my son can tell the difference between a backhoe and a bulldozer and a rooster and a chicken.

Refreshing alternative to glitzy materialism and violence
Dumpy and its sequels tell the story of a seemingly abandoned truck that is discovered, refurbished, and given a new life. It is such a delightful parable about objects discarded in haste and a metaphor for what people may do to each other. The story is the begining of a collaboration between actress/singer Julie Andrews Edwards and daughter Emma Kate Walton Hamilton. Emma Kate's father, Tony Walton, is the ilustrator.

I trust this will be the beginning of a long collaborative effort.

A Sweet, Gentle Story
As the story begins, everyone is hard at work on Merryhill Farm...Bee-Bee the Backhoe, Trundle the Tractor. Everyone, that is except Dumpy. He's old, rusty and broken and stuck in the tall grass behind the barn. There are birds and mice living in the stuffing of his leather seats and it looks like his work days at Merryhill Farm are over. Farmer Barnes is planning on having him towed away to make room for a new and bigger barn and this makes his son, Charlie sad. "It's so sad to get rid of something you love just to make room for something new." His grandfather, Pop-Up agrees and they hatch a plan to save Dumpy. First they pull him out of the tall weeds and clean him up. They scrub and polish, mend and paint, get him new tires and then go to work on the engine. And in no time, Dumpy's better than ever, looking good and back to work, helping to raise the new barn..... Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Hamilton have written a charming, endearing story about love, teamwork and purpose that will delight youngsters aged 3-7. Their gentle text, full of imagery and sound effects, is complimented by Tony Walton's colorful and expressive artwork and together, they have authored a story with the subtle message that big and new isn't always better. Dumpy the Dump Truck is the first in what should be a wonderful new series, that you little ones are sure to enjoy.

Dumpy the Dump Truck
This book tells a nice story with fun illustrations. Readers might also enjoy The Little Black Truck by Libba Moore Gray, which was written before Dumpy and tells a similar story with wonderful illustrations "that blanket rural life and the little black truck in an aura of affection.." Booklist

Apple Harbor is adorable!
This is a sweet children's story. It's charming, beautifullyillustrated, and seems destined for classic status; the fact that it is first in a series makes it even more appealing. ... Read more

Book Description

If I built a car, it’d be totally new! Here are a few of the things that I’d do. . . . Young Jack is giving an eye-opening tour of the car he’d like to build. There’s a snack bar, apool, and even a robot named Robert to act as chauffeur. With Jack’s soaring imagination in thedriver’s seat, we’re deep-sea diving one minute and flying high above traffic the next in thiswhimsical, tantalizing take on the car of the future. Illustrations packed with witty detail, bright colors, and chrome recall the fabulous fifties and an era of classic American automobiles. Infectious rhythm and clever invention make this wonderful read-aloud a launch pad for imaginative fun. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Amazing and fun!!
This has it all as far as children's picture books go! The rhyming text is so much fun to read and the lush, vivid illustrations are rich and full of detail. My kids pour over them looking at all there is to see on each page. From the beautiful underwater scene to the "instant snack bar" - it's a real treat for the eyes and imagination. This is a great book! ... Read more

Book Description

Vroom! Vroom! puts young readers behind the wheel in an exhilarating, fast-paced auto race. After turning the steering wheel and shifting the clutch, the reader can even change a tire at a pit stop and help refuel the cars by fitting the gas nozzle into the fuel tank. Then as the blue car and the red car speed around the track, the reader can actually change the outcome of each race by pulling a tab.Children love the excitement race cars provide, and from the drop of the starter's flag to the cross of the finish line, this brightly colored racing adventure is sure to receive an enthusiasticread it againresponse. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Wonderful Book
I purchased this book for my 3 and 5 year old grandsons. It is probably their favorite book. They can't put it down! I have never seen such a clever book for children. They love using the steering wheel, filling car w/gas, popping the cork at the end of the race, etc. If your child likes race cars, this is a great book for them. I let the 5 year old look at it by himself, but I always supervise the 3 year old--he doesn't always remember to be gentle w/pop up books. And I still can't believe it was a "bargain book"--it's an incredible value and tons of fun for children. I also recommend "Garage" by the same author. ... Read more

Book Description

The Uncover series combines the best elements of a book with model elements to help readers truly "uncover" the mysteries of what makes things work. A fascinating three-dimensional presentation allows in-depth, hands-on exploration of the subject at hand. This unique "model" is easily built, deconstructed and re-built layer by layer, system by system just by turning a page, until an understanding of the topic is achieved. Explore the dynamics of a race car engine and learn about air flow and drag, safety equipment and roll cages, the fuel system and horsepower, suspension and track bars, and internal combustion. Interesting facts and experiments are also featured throughout the book including why race cars don't have speedometers, how roof flaps are designed like airplane wings, and the gas mileage on a stock car is about four miles per gallon. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

cute construction story
My kids and I heard this read at the library story time. This is a great book to share with kids who love big construction equipment. Mr Rally is a construction worker and he has a dog who loves to dig!

Mr Rally has five jobs to do. As you and your kids follow Mr Rally about through his day you can use this story to ask how many jobs does he have left to do.

Great for preschool story times and even makes a great bedtime story! ... Read more

Book Description

"Big Bold fire engines, waiting day and night, Ready for a rescue or a blazing fire to fight.As soon as there's a fire alarm, the engines start to roar. The firefighters jump aboard..it rumbles out the door." Jump aboard a bright red fire engine with a trio of friendly animal firefighters as sirens wail, lights flash, firehoses squirt, and fires blaze -- in this story that blends action and rhyme with all the details kids want to know about one of their favorite machines. The mix of visual entertainment and lively wordplay ensures that young children will delight in the reading experience, as will the adults fortunate enough to read aloud these irresistable rhymes! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A cute book for your fire engine lover.
My 3 year old daughter and I really enjoy this book and the others in this series. My daughter loves fire engines and this book is informative as well as fun. The story begins with the fire engines waiting at the fire house. The alarm bell sounds and the crew rushes off to fight a fire. As the story continues everything the fire crew does is explained in easy to understand terms. I really liked the expanation of how the water is pulled from the ground through the fire hydrant to fight the fire. After the resident of the house is rescued and the fire is extinguished, the crew goes back the fire house to clean up, take a break, and await the next fire. The illustrations in this book are just okay. The animals that make up the fire crew look a little strange to me but my daughter was able to identify what they were (bird, mouse, rabbit). The best part of this book is the informative rhymes that make up the story. Not too much information for a tired mom like me to read at night. My daughter and I really like the the last page of the book that lists pictures of fire engine parts and equipment and their names. Thanks to this book my daughter knows new words like water tank and pump and what they do. My daughter asks me to read this book often and it has become a favorite. If your child is really into fire engines and books about them check out the book Dot the Fire Dog. It's another one we really enjoy.

Good for 2-3 year olds
We checked this book out of the library and my 2.75 year oldloves it. The sentences are too complicated for him, but he likes thepictures and the detailed explanation of the firefighter's equipment on the last page.

Under 3 only
My son received this book as a gift and I was disappointed in the reading level. The story is not involved enough to hold my 3 year old's attention. In my opinion it is more suitable for children under 3. ... Read more

Book Description

Follow the big red truck on it's cross-country journey in Donald Crew's classic wordless book, perfect for sharing with the very young.

Reviews (7)

Wonderful book to enhance your child's imagination!
This is a wonderful book! I was a bit apprehensive about buying it because it includes no text. However, this has quickly turned into a bedtime favorite at our house. My son received it when he was about 18 months old and a year later, he still requests it by name. We look at the pictures and he is able to tell me what is happening on each page and he often makes up a story about what he sees. This book takes you on a journey across the country with a truck carrying bicycles. You see the truck drive in fog, rain, in traffic and (my son's favorite) through a tunnel. My son has learned some basic traffic signs, shapes and even directions (left, right, up, down) with this story. I highly recommend it!

Perfect for kids who resist reading!
I bought this book when my son was 18 months old. He had NO interest at all in sitting still to look at books. He took one look at all those TRUCKS and was transfixed. From the day I brought this book home he showed a greater interest in his other books and at 3 1/2 he is an avid "reader".

Great, colorful book!
I wasn't sure whether or not my son would enjoy the textless book but it has quickly become his favorite book! It is so bright and colorful and encourages me to make up different stories each time I read it to him.

Beep Beep Beep Beep yeh!
When I ask my 3 year old son Charlie to choose three books for bedtime reading, this book is invariably chosen from his truck shelf of books. The book documents a tractor trailer's trip, using signs, light signals and lots of traffic and highways. He loves it and so do I. This book also won a Caldecott Medal for illustrations when it was first published. Highly recommended.

A great book for pre-schoolers
This small children's book about a large delivery truck traveling on the highways is told without words and was a 1981 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a children's book. Little children really enjoy following the truck to its final destination. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Classic!
This is my two and a half year old son's ABSOLUTE favorite book. He asks to read "Fireman Small" every day at naptime and at bedtime too. ( we usually read it several times each sitting!) He has had this book since he was 12 months old and it was an instant hit with him. His favorite part is when fireman small saves the little girl and her kitten, he throws his arms up and yells Hooray! It is a great book about an everyday hero (fireman small). The classic illustrations are wonderful and a breath of fresh air in this computer generated age. I would highly reccomend this book for any toddler.

This Book Sends The Wrong Message
Fireman Small rushes to a house that is on fire with smoke coming out all the windows and doors. Nevertheless, there is a picture and text "The family carry sofa, lamps, tables, and chairs out of the house." And yet, they still manage to leave a girl child and her pet cat upstairs.

What kind of message is this? Aren't you supposed to grab your family and get out of the house if there is a fire? What's all this about moving all of your furniture and leaving your kid and cat behind?

the classic, the best firefighter picture book
Lois Lenski's _The Little Fire Engine_ was first published in the 1940s. The pictures look a little bit dated and corny. Don't let that fool you. This is the best firefighter picture book; it's the standard by which all others have since been measured.

In the story, Fireman Small races with the other firefighters to the scene of a fire, where they save a girl and her cat, locate the blaze, and extinguish it. They return to the firehouse. The story is so incredibly simple, but the author has laid everything out so that a child can learn so much from this book. Questions are answered, and children who know a lot about firefighters will have their curiosity piqued by everything in this book, from the "nang, nang, nang, nang goes the bell" to Fireman Small chopping a hole in the roof.

My son and I have looked through lots of firefighting picture books, and I think _The Little Fire Engine_ is simply the best I've seen.

ken32

little fire engine
Fabulous to see the Lois Lenski books reprinted. They have been a favorite of mine since I was a child and now my children enjoy them tremendously. Informative, wholesome, and terrific stories that have lasted the test of time. Don't miss out on these! ... Read more

Book Description

Curious about the big truck next door, George takes a closer look. He wants to see how it works. Before long he finds that one little lever can mean great big trouble! But George quickly puts his monkey ingenuity to work and finds a surprising solution to his messy mishap. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great new story
After reading the original 5 or 6 Curious George stories to my 2 year old son about a hundred times, it is refreshing to see some new adventures. We just picked up this book today after going to the dump and my son just loves it. The spirit of the original stories is still there while the artwork is slightly more crisp and detailed. I look forward to reading the other new stories!

Little Boys Love It!
A dump truck, a lever that gets pulled not once but twice, and robbers! What a combo and George is a hero again. I hope someday that they bring this version out of print. My boys loved it and my preschool boys page through it everyday! It is also a great springboard to the other great Curious George books.

A family favorite
My 3 year old loves Curious George books and all kinds of heavy equipment so combining the two means it's one of his favorite books, and just like George he is always curious especially about George and why he is doing what he is doing. In our house both my 3 year old and 17 month old would sooner read about Curious George than watch tv. ... Read more

Book Description

It's New Year's Day in Apple Harbor, and all the villagers are celebrating at Farmer Barnes' annual Open House, including Charlie, Pop-Up, and Dumpy the Dump Truck. But when the fire bell sounds, everyone's help is suddenly needed in town. Discovering that Pharaoh's General Store is ablaze, the firefighters bravely work to fight the flames and save the village.

As always, Dumpy proves invaluable -- demonstrating that everyone has something to contribute.

Amazon.com

Sam may be a man of few words, but he is certainly eloquent on thesubject of his car. With a bright, bold palette of mostly primary colors,author-illustrator Byron Barton (Trucks, Planes, Machines at Work, etc.) deftlydepicts the fondness Sam has for his chunky little car and the care with whichhe treats it. "I love my car. / I keep my car clean. / My car needs oil / and afull tank of gasoline." Sam also describes the parts of his car, how to drivecarefully, and where he likes to go in his car. The story concludes with atwist, sure to delight already rapt readers.

Sam and his acquaintances are unusual-looking, blocky figures, with big blackblobs for eyes, and more blobs for nose and mouth. Characters and objects arereminiscent of the cars, signs, and figures in a child's play station. Smalldetails are appealing: the mechanic is a woman, and the car's headlights bathe aportion of the text in yellow. This should be required reading for everydriver's ed student; we can only hope that the repeated readings this book isbound to receive will sink in to preschoolers' minds for future recall: "I obeythe laws. / I stop for pedestrians. / I read the signs." This is a lovelypicture book. (Ages 2 to 5) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (9)

color really stands out
the baby and the 6 year old really like this book. It's not because of the story--I think it's a boring,very simple story with few words. The reason that they like this book is because of the very vivid, bright color drawings. I must admit that I myself really like the color as well.

Why aren't there more great car books for little guys?
This is an EXCELLENT first car book for the little ones. It uses simple first words and simple colorful pictures. One page even has a brief list of parts! Highly recommended!!

My 16 month old brother reads it!
With most of the words being car and bus, my little brother smiles as he reads the words from, "My Car". His face lights up everytime we read, "I am Sam"!!

My 2 year old loves it!
My two year old son loves anything by Byron Barton. The colors are bold and attract his attention and the text seems just the right length for his growing attention span. We have quite a few in the series and are collecting them all! You can not go wrong with this or any of the Byron Barton books!

The best!
This is one of my son's favorite books. It is wonderfully illustrated, with terrific use of color. My 3-year-old LOVES this one! ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

"Emergency! Emergency! Calling the Little Green Tow Truck to the main highway, intersection one.... A red convertible needs a tow."

With a little help from young readers, the spunky little tow truck is on the job. Turn the key, put on the turn signal, check the map, and away we go! Maneuvering through a traffic jam, the truck reaches the convertible and hooks it up with a towline, then cranks the handle to lift the front end. Now it's just a matter of slipping past the giant trucks at the traffic light and finding the way to the garage for repairs. This interactive mini board book will enthrall any child who has entered that developmental phase characterized by an obsession with all things truck. Readers pull, flip, flap, and slide the merry green tow truck through its mission, and cheer at a job well done.

Be prepared for some repairs on the little green truck itself: small, eager fingers will make quick work of the sturdy--yet never sturdy enough--tabs and flaps. For more fun with transportation, collect Ken Wilson-Max's other interactive board books: Little Red Plane, Big Silver Space Shuttle, and Big Blue Engine. (Baby to Preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great for church or the car!
This book is great for when we need to have our children- ages one and three- entertain themselves quietly. It is perfect for church and its small size allows me to keep it in my purse or diaper bag for other times. There are a lot of parts for them to move or connect with each other. However, I do agree that the parts are not very durable and we are now on our second copy of the book- but it is well worth the money!

Please make the moving parts sturdier!!
We have bought 5 of Ken Wilson-Max's books--2 of the titles twice over because they fell apart badly. As much as our 2-1/2 year old son loves the stories, pictures and movable parts, the moving parts lasted average of 3 readings before they came apart. Only if Mr. WIlson-Max could come up with ways to reinforce those moving parts so that they will last long enough to pass the books down to our infant son . . . I would be happy to buy all his titles over again for our younger son, if a new version with sturdier moving parts became available.

Little Green Tow Truck
We have the 4 -7 year old version and our grandchildren love it. It's a bit too fragile for the young kids so we are ordering a replacement because they use it so much.

Good book for toddlers. Moving parts are too delicate.
My 2-year old son really enjoyed all the moving parts, especially the one where you can have the tow truck lift the car. He can't really do it alone. We let a couple of five year-olds play with it for a few minutes and they immediately wrecked the "lifting the car" feature. It DOES make my son laugh out loud, though, and that counts for a lot. We just use it with supervision. ... Read more