Dumpy at School [Hardcover]

Julie Andrews Edwards (Author), Emma Walton Hamilton (Author), Tony Watson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000 | Grade Level: P and up

Charlie, who is nervous about his first day of school, and Dumpy the Dumptruck, who is nervous about his first construction job, gradually adjust to their new settings after making new friends.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Dumpy's back! The beloved little truck, saved from rust and weeds in Dumpy the Dump Truck, the first team effort of Julie Andrews Edwards, Emma Walton Hamilton, and Tony Walton, is shined up and ready to tackle his first big job off the farm. And it just so happens that today is a big day for his young friend Charlie, too. It's Charlie's first day of school. Dumpy has bubbles in his radiator, and Charlie feels his stomach flutter as they each think about what lies ahead. Will they succeed? Will people make fun of them? As it turns out, both Dumpy and Charlie do quite well. Charlie makes some new friends, trades sandwiches at lunchtime, and wins the respect of all when the kids realize it's his dump truck that's building the new playground. And Dumpy, after feeling a bit puny and insignificant next to the huge yellow and black monster machine, saves the day when Steady Gus the School Bus breaks down.

Julie Andrews Edwards is the author of the The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles and Little Bo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea and, of course, the star of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Dumpy at School, the second in the series about a little engine that could, will be welcomed with open arms by children who have a touch of first-day butterflies. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-These two predictable stories are filled with anthropomorphic trucks and tractors beeping and grinding in colorful onomatopoeia. In Dump Truck, Dumpy is destined for the junkyard until Charlie and his grandfather intervene and lovingly return him to his former shiny red glory. In School, Charlie is nervous about his first day at Apple Harbor Day School, and Dumpy is nervous about his first day on a playground building crew. They each have a trying time, but a happy ending is in store when the school bus breaks down and Dumpy lends his services as a makeshift replacement. Walton's illustrations are unusual in that the faces of the vehicles are more carefully rendered than those of the humans. Charlie and his grandfather are inconsistently portrayed, and sometimes seem out of focus, but Dumpy is always clear and appealing. Slight story lines and uninspiring art make these titles additional purchases.
Martha Link, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786806109
• ISBN-13: 978-0786806102
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,201,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooray for Dumpy!, March 14, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dumpy at School (Hardcover)

It's a day of firsts at Merryhill Farm. Dumpy is off to his first construction job away from the farm, building the new school playground and Charlie is off to his very first day at school. New firsts are a little scary and Dumpy's radiator feels full of bubbles while Charlie's stomach has butterflies. Each feels a bit lost at the beginning of the day...Charlie, meeting a new teacher, Mrs Bundle and making new friends and Dumpy, feeling a bit overwhelmed by Buzz the Bulldozer as he works hard on the new playground. But both do very well. And, at the end of the day when Steady Gus the School Bus breaks down and Mrs Bundle doesn't know how the kids will get home, Dumpy and Charlie save the day..... Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Hamilton are back with a new and endearing Dumpy story, pre-schoolers will love. Their gentle text, full of true to life situations, little ones will identify with and silly sound effects is complimented by Tony Walton's wonderful expressive and colorful illustrations and together they let youngsters know in a very positive way, that firsts can be fun.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bed Time story wonder, December 9, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dumpy at School (Hardcover)

An okay book for little one's to be read to bed. It sure could put me to sleep.