My Car Board Book

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!

Take Byron Barton's simple colorful illustrations, mix with a simple yet informative story line, and blend with my 2 1/2 yr. old son's favorite topic...Cars...and you get this book! We have read this book countless times, and even our 11 month old is captivated by these bright pictures. Byron Barton's Sam introduces young children to the insides and outsides of his little red car, describing how it needs to be washed and have oil and gas. Simple, yes, but this little book is packed with great information about cars, and at a level that is perfect for very young children.

Barton, the author of "Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs" and "Machines at Work," returns to create a picture book that is fun and informative. Sam likes to drive his car; he keeps it clean, checks the fluids, and discusses many of the car's parts, including the body and engine. He tells how he obeys traffic signs and stops his car for pedestrians. At the end of the story we learn that Sam drives a bus for a living, and enjoys driving it as much as his car.While some parents may not enjoy the notion of a car being the subject of a picture book, the focus is clearly on the artwork. Bright and vivid tempura paints burst forth in a cavalcade of colors. All primary colors are present, and a particular focus is paid to yellow, green, blue and red. The only drawback is that there is no depth perception to the art; it is rendered in a flat style. This is a small complaint, however, as the colors, straight lines, and curves merge to create a truly unique book. A good introduction for toddlers into the world of color and shapes.

My 17 mo. old loves this book! He gets so excited when I take it out to read. The bright colors and big illustrations are awesome for a toddler. The story is simple and really cute.

"I am Sam./This is my car." So begins Byron Barton's terrific new picture book and with very few words and bright, bold, geometric illustrations, Sam explains the wonders and responsibilities of car ownership. He keeps his car clean and well maintained, filled with gas and oil. He drives carefully, stopping for pedestrians and obeying road signs. And he delights in the way his car is built and the way it works. Sam shows us some of the car parts, including the engine, wheels, body and frame, as well as the lights, so that he can drive at night and the windshield wipers, so he can see when it rains. And he shows us one of the places he drives, to work, where he boards a bus because he's the bus driver..... Mr Barton's simple, minimal text is perfect for pre-schoolers as young as two and his childlike artwork is charming and engaging. My Car is a must for all little car lovers!