What’s In The Truck?

Think of a Russian doll, hold that in mind. The star characters here are two dogs and a frog, with a Princess at the end of the tale. Then apply the captivating text of Philip Ardagh, and these magical ingredients combine to make a brilliantly original caper. The hilarious rhyming text is stunningly complemented by the humorous artwork of Jason Chapman. The book will charm and enthrall children and adults alike, for it is as fast moving as the tale itself, each moving vehicle spilling out of the previous one, reminiscent of a Russian doll. What an original idea. From the raised back of the super-charged racer….

Out glides a limmo, as sleek as a plane,

With big gleaming hubcaps as bright as champagne.

It purrrrrrrrs down the road like a pedigree cat,

Swerves round a veg van….. Look out!

Oh no… SPLAT!

As readers, we can imagine that not only Ardagh was enjoying himself as he wrote the text, but also that Chapman had a wonderful time creating all the whacky pictures, full of colour and speed and daring do and all impossible devices beloved of small children. The tale begins with Prince Ollie (dog) screeching across the page in a truck with GIANT wheels. When the back door flips open, out squeals the super-charged racer; from there, an open-topped sports car… a motor bike, and finally a scooter, driven by a grinning frog, each new vehicle tumbling out of the previous one. Destination reached, who is the recipient of the birthday present? And what is it? An amazing ending! Young readers will have such fun finding all the picture jokes liberally scattered on every spread, and adults who were fans of Richard Scarry books will just love this. Find it, devour it and have lots of fun, with a child on you knee, a group of nursery children, a library book corner or a class full of children already familiar with the concept that picture books can evoke peals of laughter. They will all want to take it home in their book bags… adults, get your children their own copy! Thoughtfully, the book is made from resilient stiffened paper to cope with the many reads this book is bound to demand.