The Rusty, Trusty Tractor
Written by: Joy Cowley
Illustrated by: Oliver Dunrea
Published by Boyds Mill Press, Inc. in Honesdale, Pennsylvania in 1999
ISBN: 1-56397-565-3
Written by: Joy Cowley
Illustrated by: Oliver Dunrea
Published by Boyds Mill Press, Inc. in Honesdale, Pennsylvania in 1999
ISBN: 1-56397-565-3
Genres: Picture Book, Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Grades 3-4
Activity Level: Grades 2 and 4
Summary: This is a story about a grandfather, his grandson, and his grandfather's tractor. A salesman comes to the grandfather's farm at the beginning of the book and wants Grandpappy to buy a new tractor from him because Mr. Hill (the salesman) does not believe that his will last through the growing season. Grandpappy goes to visit Mr. Hill's store, but is not interested in buying, so Mr. Hill says he will give Grandpappy one jelly doughnut for every acre his tractor plows that year. The tractor does well throughout the season and is able to pick up all the bales of hay before the rains come and Mr. Hill, though very surprised, brings Grandpappy his jelly doughnuts. In the end, Grandpappy's tractor even saves the day when it rescues Mr. Hill's car from the mud!
Response: I really like how Joy Cowley focuses her book more on the fact that new and shiny is not always better. It shows children that they should appreciate what they have. This book even gives reasons for Grandpappy not buying a new tractor such as, he does not need a radio because he whistles, he does not need heat or air conditioning because if the weather is too cold, Grandpappy puts on his coat and if it is too hot, he takes it off! Also, Grandpappy does not need a new fancy engine on his tractor because with his old one he can just fix it himself with wire!
The illustrations in this book are very realistic-looking and the expressions on Grandpappy's face are amazing! When I read about Grandpappy's expressions, the ones pictured in the book are exactly what I imagined would be on his face. The tractors and equipment are also very well drawn with much detail. (Boys would love this book.)
Teaching Connections: In a second grade classroom a teacher could read this book to them and then, as a class, create a chart on the board with very descriptive words that depicted each of the three characters in the book. This would greatly increase their imaginative use of adjectives.
With fourth graders, the teacher could read this book to them and then have them write a response to how Grandpappy felt about his tractor, either as a poem or just as Grandpappy thinking to himself.
What Students Learn: From this book children learn that new and shiny is not always better. Sometimes, what one has needs to be appreciated because it is valuable and useful. It may not be the top of the line, or even beautiful, but children and adults should not negate things that work just because of that. Children also begin to learn about various pieces of farm equipment from this book.
From the activities, children can learn adjectives and increase their creative writing abilities, in second and fourth grades, respectively.
Image Retrieved From: http://www.boydsmillspress.com/coverimages/large/978-1-56397-565-3.jpg
Reading Level: Grades 3-4
Activity Level: Grades 2 and 4
Summary: This is a story about a grandfather, his grandson, and his grandfather's tractor. A salesman comes to the grandfather's farm at the beginning of the book and wants Grandpappy to buy a new tractor from him because Mr. Hill (the salesman) does not believe that his will last through the growing season. Grandpappy goes to visit Mr. Hill's store, but is not interested in buying, so Mr. Hill says he will give Grandpappy one jelly doughnut for every acre his tractor plows that year. The tractor does well throughout the season and is able to pick up all the bales of hay before the rains come and Mr. Hill, though very surprised, brings Grandpappy his jelly doughnuts. In the end, Grandpappy's tractor even saves the day when it rescues Mr. Hill's car from the mud!
Response: I really like how Joy Cowley focuses her book more on the fact that new and shiny is not always better. It shows children that they should appreciate what they have. This book even gives reasons for Grandpappy not buying a new tractor such as, he does not need a radio because he whistles, he does not need heat or air conditioning because if the weather is too cold, Grandpappy puts on his coat and if it is too hot, he takes it off! Also, Grandpappy does not need a new fancy engine on his tractor because with his old one he can just fix it himself with wire!
The illustrations in this book are very realistic-looking and the expressions on Grandpappy's face are amazing! When I read about Grandpappy's expressions, the ones pictured in the book are exactly what I imagined would be on his face. The tractors and equipment are also very well drawn with much detail. (Boys would love this book.)
Teaching Connections: In a second grade classroom a teacher could read this book to them and then, as a class, create a chart on the board with very descriptive words that depicted each of the three characters in the book. This would greatly increase their imaginative use of adjectives.
With fourth graders, the teacher could read this book to them and then have them write a response to how Grandpappy felt about his tractor, either as a poem or just as Grandpappy thinking to himself.
What Students Learn: From this book children learn that new and shiny is not always better. Sometimes, what one has needs to be appreciated because it is valuable and useful. It may not be the top of the line, or even beautiful, but children and adults should not negate things that work just because of that. Children also begin to learn about various pieces of farm equipment from this book.
From the activities, children can learn adjectives and increase their creative writing abilities, in second and fourth grades, respectively.
Image Retrieved From: http://www.boydsmillspress.com/coverimages/large/978-1-56397-565-3.jpg
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