Rattletrap Car (Paperback)

~ (Author), Jill Barton (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Will the family's rapidly deteriorating jalopy survive the ride to the lake? Junie, Jakie, the baby and Poppa are so set on a swim to cool off that they're determined their rattletrap car won't disappoint them. Each time the car breaks down which Root evokes with a rousing and ever-growing chorus of onomatopoeia a family member improvises a solution, making ingenious use of a beach toy and car snacks. When the floorboard falls off with a "Whumpety Whomp!," Jakie "put his surf board on the car and he stuck it on tight with chocolate marshmallow fudge delight." Not only does the family make it to the lake, but they make it back home again as well, with a refrain of "flippita fluppita/ fizzelly sizzelly/ wappity bappity/ lumpety bumpety/ clinkety clankety/ bing bang pop!" As in their What Baby Wants, Root and Barton prove that they know how to convey mounting comic mayhem. Root builds her narrative house of cards with plenty of rhythmic repetition and nonsense words, while Barton's sunny, high-spirited watercolors demonstrate that, with a sense of humor, it is possible to move the world or at least a broken-down Tin Lizzie. Ages 4-8.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-On a hot summer day, Junie and Jakie suggested a trip to the lake. Poppa worries about whether or not their old car will make it ("It doesn't go fast and it doesn't go far"), but the family decides to give it a try. They haven't gone far when "boomsssssssss. The tire went flat." Junie knows what to do-she puts her beach ball in the place of the wheel, sticking it on tight with chocolate marshmallow fudge delight. Then, "whumpety whomp!"-the floor falls off. This time, Jakie knows just what to do. A series of other near-disasters follows, each finding a silly remedy with an item that had been packed for the outing, and they make it to the lake. Cumulative stories are most successful when they have a little twist or surprise at the end, and there isn't one here, but the bouncy, creative language more than makes up for that lack. The internal rhymes, alliteration, and creative car sounds make a perfect read-aloud. The watercolor illustrations are full of action as the rattletrap car bounces off the road and seems to rush off the page. The words for the car sounds bounce, too, in their larger, uneven fonts. The illustrations contribute humorous detail capturing the family's alternating despair, inventiveness, and glee at moving again.

Adele Greenlee, Bethel College, St. Paul, MN

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (April 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763620076
• ISBN-13: 978-0763620073
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,675 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that reads like music, January 20, 2001

By	M. T. Anderson "mta" (Canaan, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rattletrap Car (Hardcover)

Phyllis Root's books always read like music, but this one in particular is like jazz. I've just heard her read it, and the sense of rhythm is extraordinary and catching -- a book that almost sings itself. It's a perfect read-aloud for a hot summer's day!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fun book!, July 14, 2006

By	M. FitzGerald "3boysmom" (florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Rattletrap Car (Hardcover)

I love this book. We borrowed it from the library originally. We checked it out for 10 weeks in a row and I read it every night to my son. He loved to follow along and make all the crazy sounds that the car made. He has 2 other siblings who love it just as much. We bought it finally and I have to say this is my absolute favorite book to read to them. They get so excited making the silly noises and they even want me to find a recipe for chocolate marshmallow fudge delight. That would be a fun interactive thing to do with them. I'll have to come up with something.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best childrens' picture books around, May 18, 2005

By	Lin "childrens' book addict from downunder" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rattletrap Car (Hardcover)

Rattletrap car is a fabulous book. The pictures are exceptionally appealing, the story is engaging and the rythm and rhyme great for involving young children. I have collected many wonderful 'classic' picture books over the years but Rattletrap Car is one of my favourites by far (and my children's favourites). We have been on many picnics where we have taken along 'chocolate marshmallow fudge delight' and 'razzleberry, dazzleberry, snazzleberry fizz'. This book is truly a must buy and you will not regret purchasing it. If like my family, you own a 'rattletrap car' too, it will be even more appealing!