Book Description Review “This heartfelt celebration of resilience in the face of change, with a determined black woman at its center, packs a powerful punch. As the old truck stays with its family, this charming book will stay with readers.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“This affectionate, pithy, and eloquent homage to farm life…is uncommonly charming and rewards repeat readings.” – Booklist (starred review)“A celebration of diligence and grit, the quiet text conjures a cyclical Giving Tree–reminiscent relationship, but with a healthier, deeply loving dynamic.” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)“This gentle chronicle of years blazes with the power of family, determination, and perseverance.” – School Library Journal (starred review)“An instant classic.” – BookPage (starred review)“The Old Truck is a quietly powerful ode to hard work and perseverance…Place this beauty on a low shelf with easy access. It will likely be in regular circulation among discerning young readers.” – Shelf Awareness (starred review) Read more About the Author Jerome Pumphrey is an illustrator and a graphic designer at The Walt Disney Company. Originally from Houston, he now lives in Austin, Texas.Jarrett Pumphrey is an author/illustrator and the former CEO of a tech startup. Originally from Houston, he now lives in Austin, Texas. Read more Customers Review: My grandkids enjoy this very sweet young childrens’ book and I’ve read it to them many times. Cleverly illustrated and written to appeal to young minds; the book features a small farm where a young girl grows up while an old truck grows even older. Intriguing and imaginative; things you don’t find very much in children’s books today. Highly recommended.
Read this to my daughter the other night and she had me read again. Great book for bedtime!
Simple kid book
The gentle, muted illustrations in this story took me back to my childhood. It was a time when I lived in a small Indiana town surrounded by old farms. These were farms passed down through multiple generations; usually a bit worn with multiple buildings surrounding an old farmhouse and very often old trucks scattered around on the property. We would pass by these farms as we made the trek to visit both sets of grandparents on almost a weekly basis. I sat in the front seat because I was always hopelessly carsick, which gave me the perfect view of the countryside and gave me the opportunity to daydream about the scenery we passed. I had questions flying through my mind. Who lived there? How long had the farm been there? Did children live on the farm? What crops did they grow?The authors of this story must have had similar experiences, because this lovely story strives to answer some of these questions. It follows a farming family through the years, working hard and always using an old red truck to help them achieve their dreams. And there’s always a little girl there to help and to love the old red truck. That is until the red truck doesn’t run anymore. That’s the time it’s parked in the barnyard and forgotten about by almost everyone, except the little girl. Time passed and they both dreamed and rested and grew older, until a new farmer came a long. It’s a new farmer who looks amazingly like the little girl from long ago; it’s a little girl who grew up, became a farmer and rescued the old red truck to help her achieve HER dreams.Thank you, to the authors for taking me back to my childhood and bringing some of my daydreams to life. Your charming book felt like a warm blanket and is one I want to read over and over. It’s going to be one of my “coffee table” books (high praise!). Those are the special ones I leave out so anyone and everyone who visits will have the opportunity to be wrapped up in that warm blanket, just as I was. I highly recommend that you add this to your TBR pile very soon! And a special thank you to Jarrett Lerner for his post that compelled me to add it to my library requests!
The Old Truck is beautifully illustrated with nostalgic art from farm life. The truck is integral to the family in different ways throughout the years, such as a work help, but also as a piece used in imaginative ways. The truck grows tired with age, as does the farmer, but the story moves full circle. Determination, hard work, and dedication reap rewards for all, including the truck!
One might not first think the idea of making an old truck the main character of a picture book is a good one, but they would be wrong (in my humble opinion). Because they haven’t read THE OLD TRUCK. To thoroughly enjoy this book, take it all in–the jacket, the cover, the illustrations leading to the title page, the details on every page (watch how the truck, the little girl, and the farm around her change as time passes), the words. Oh, my–the words! Just the right words to tell this circular story of an old truck that works hard until it grows tired, and then rests. All the while a little girl dreams of adventures with the truck, and then grows up to be a farmer herself, and (spoiler alert) dreams and persists and restores the old truck. I remember having my own adventures in my grandfather’s antique cars, whether or not they were working hard or resting. I also grew up in a family of “tinkerers” (blacksmiths, mechanics, farmers, all-around-fixer-uppers) who worked hard to restore and old cars, farm equipment, and other items that people now seem to easily discard and replace with the newest thing. THE OLD TRUCK was a refreshing, sweet, read with equally sweet illustrations.
Just got this children’s book and it’s quickly become one of my favorites! The simple and poetic text match the deep rich imagery on every page. Highly recommend
Anyone at any age will be touched by the story (text and pictures) and theme throughout this book. After reading the book my youngest child commented, “beautiful and inspiring!” The intentions behind the illustration are amazing. This is a must have for all little ones. |
13 reviews