The Little Auto

This book is a throwback for sure, but in a way that is endearing and certainly appealing to children. A nice car, a funny little man, a leisurely drive up and down hills through country and town past animals and houses, the changing of a flat tire, and back home again. My 25-month old son loves hearing this book over and over, and enjoys its repetitive language as well as the story. Perfect book for small children, and particularly car-loving little boys.

This endearing yet simple story book written by the talented Lois Lenski features her signature illustrations and tells the tale of Mr. Small and his pride and joy, the little auto. Written in 1934 this book follows Mr. Small in his jaunty suit, bow tie and derby hat as he cruises around town in his shiny red convertible. The other traffic on the road includes a horse and buggy, a trolley car, and some startled chickens and ducks. We tool along down Main Street with Mr. Small, put the top up when it rains, fix a flat tire, and pay a visit to the filling station. Mr. Small and his little auto are utterly charming and the way this book captures the gentle atmosphere of a bygone day warms the heart. Kids will love it and so will the folks who read to them. Lois Lenski's picture books are never long on plot or action, but they are delightfully colorful and whimsical. Her books, no matter their publication date, seem to capture human nature that runs true throughout the stream of time. Look what she says about a man and his car. "Mr. Small has a little Auto. It is red and shiny. He likes to look at it." Travel around your own town on a sunny Saturday morning...you'll see Mr. Small is alive and well. Enjoy this book and all of Lois Lenski's other charmers.

An old-fashioned, quaint and charming book for young children. My boys (ages 3 and 1) pull it off the bookshelf a few times a week and bring it to me to read to them. The references to passing a horse and buggy, stopping for the trolley car, and waiting for the policeman to switch the "stop-go" signal are throwbacks to a simpler time. Delightful and highly recommended.