William, the Vehicle King (School & Library Binding)

by Laura P. Newton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
It would be hard to imagine a better representation of an hour in the life of a preschool-age boy. "William needed a car," the book begins, "a car to hold, and put in his pocket, and race along the rug." By the end of the book, William has found an entire fleet of vehicles in his toybox and constructed an elaborate roadway out of blocks. With big, child's-eye view illustrations and minimal text, Newton and Rogers recreate the world of a little boy's play. From beginning to end ("And when he was through, cars and trucks went everywhere with William, the Vehicle King"), the book takes the child's play as seriously as he does. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1 In few words, Newton portrays William and his toy cars and trucks sprawled all over his bedroom rug. There is no real story here, just an incident described, familiar to all children who enjoy their own make-believe worlds. William and his cars are made more real by Rogers' colorful crayon and watercolor wash illustrations. In double-page spreads of color, she shows William add more and more vehicles until ``cars and trucks went everywhere.'' Here William has used everything at hand from socks and blocks to sneakers and a stuffed turtle to turn his bedroom into a superhighway. A slight but charming picture book which genuinely captures the world of one little boy's play. Young readers and listeners will be tempted to join William and make their own car noises as the story progresses. Patricia Homer, Lowville Academy, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Bradbury Press; Library Binding edition (October 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027682307
• ISBN-13: 978-0027682304
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #404,647 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars William could be my son!, November 30, 2005

By	Stacey Philipkosky - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is such an amazing book and I wish I could get a new copy of it. My school director thought my son would enjoy this book and lent us her copy since he LOVES cars and collects the little die cast cars everywhere we go. The story is about a little boy who plays with cars and creates different scenarios...a car crash, then emergency vehicles need to come help, then building roads with construction trucks, etc. My 2 1/2 year old son is hooked on this book and could read it every night.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, September 9, 2008

By	TeresaJill "teresajill" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

We received this book as a last remanant of a picked over reject list of someone's retired books. No one wanted it based on the old pictures and type font.

What we found was a truly beautiful little story of a boy and his vehicles that so closely matches the style of play of my little boy that I'm sure the author must have been very close to a little fellow to write it so well.

This is a special little book that my 7 year old daughter likes to read to her 5 year old brother when he needs cheering up.

I sincerely wish I could find more stories by the author.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book -- please republish! , November 18, 2007

By	MusicMom13 "Andrea" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This charming little book was originally published in 1987 in a hardbound edition. It was written by Laura P. Newton and illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers. It was published in UK under the title William, King of the Road. It was republished in 1993 as a Houghton Mifflin edition as part of The Literature Experience for kindergarten aged readers in their "My Favorite Things" read aloud version.

Okay -- it's a wonderful, short children's book. It's on several Listmania lists, and it's cited in multiple books recommending reading for children. But it's out of print and "acceptable" used copies are selling as collectible, some as high as $96. It's a read-aloud book about a preschooler who loves playing with cars. At the end of his day, his living room is filled with imaginary bridges and blocks and every car he can push. In today's video world, it's so GREAT to engage a child with real 'push it yourself' cars that don't make noise or do anything but fuel imagination. After reading the book to one of the children I babysit for, I tried to buy it to share with other children and while I was able to buy a few used copies, it seems it's time to champion this book for republication. Parents today need resources to support and encourage hands-on play. Bring Back William! Laura Newton, where are you? Twenty years is not long enough for such a lovely book to have to be collectible to be available as a gift!