The Little Auto (Lois Lenski Books) (Hardcover)

~ Lois Lenski (Author, Illustrator) "Mr. Small has a little Auto..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Mr. Small is very proud of his shiny red auto. He oils it, pumps up the tires, adds water to the radiator, and heads out for a drive! Scattering chickens, outrunning dogs, and remaining eminently cheerful even when rain falls and he gets a flat tire, Mr. Small has a grand old time. At the end of the day, he washes and polishes his auto and garages it until the next time.

Newbery Medal recipient Lois Lenski's charming, old-fashioned Mr. Small books, with their cheery, round-headed protagonist and simple, pleasing story lines, appeal to readers today as much as they did when they were first published over 40 years ago. Long out of print, the classic Mr. Small books are finally back, in full color. During her prolific lifetime, Lenski wrote and illustrated more than 90 children's books. For more adventures with the gentle Mr. Small, read Policeman Small. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter

Product Description

Mr. Small has a shiny red auto. On nice days, Mr. Small takes his car out of the garage and goes for a drive. He can drive fast enough to pass a horse and buggy! He runs into trouble when it begins to rain and he gets a flat tire. But he is able to fix the tire, the sun comes out, and Mr. Small drives his little auto back into the garage.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (March 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375810730
• ISBN-13: 978-0375810732
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #921,489 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #23 in	Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Transportation > Cars & Trucks > Fiction
  #41 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( L ) > Lenski, Lois

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 1934 Gem, November 5, 2002

By A Customer

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Shiny Red Convertible...Some Things Never Change!, April 2, 2003

By	Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story from a kinder, gentler time, August 27, 2009

By	pond swimmer "pond swimmer" - See all my reviews

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.