  | Blue pickup Author: Tripplett, Natasha | |
| Price: $24.48 | ||
Summary:
Ju-Girl's favorite days are the ones spent with Granddad in his garage, fixing cars and hearing stories about his old blue pickup. The blue pickup was used to drive all over the island of Jamaica and has transported happiness to many. And now it just sits in the driveway. One day, Ju-Girl asks Granddad if he'd ever fix it, and he's unsure at first. But the pair soon finds out just what it takes to restore the memory of the blue pickup and to create new stories along the way.
| Illustrator: | Mikai, Monica |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (12/01/23)
School Library Journal (05/03/24)
Booklist (02/15/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/12/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 05/03/2024 PreS-Gr 1—A young girl spends the day with her grandfather in Jamaica. He is a car repairman, and his granddaughter, who he affectionately calls Ju-Girl, is eager to help. She assists him checking the oil, changing batteries, and fixing radiators. The two take a break for "Ting Time," sharing bottles of Ting soda and sitting on the old blue pickup. At the behest of Ju-Girl, Granddad decides to repair the truck. They spend an afternoon in the blue pickup riding through town. As they drive, Granddad reminisces and tells Ju-Girl stories from his childhood. Finally, they arrive at a tool shop, where granddad surprises Ju-Girl with her very own socket wrench, engraved with the phrase "Ting Time." On the way home, the blue pickup won't start, and Ju-Girl uses her new wrench to get the truck back on the road. Tripplett expertly captures a close bond between grandparent and child, inspired by her own relationship with her grandfather. This book is a sweet and nostalgic ode to the importance of taking care of "old forgotten things" and reconnecting with the past. Mikai's warm and colorful illustrations of the Jamaican scenery set a cheerful and comforting tone for the story. The detail and expressiveness of each scene help readers connect to the characters. This is a perfect pick for children with a fascination for cars or mechanics. VERDICT A beautiful celebration of the bond between a grandfather and his grandchild, and the importance of preserving the past through storytelling.—Jillian Girardeau - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 02/15/2024 Ju-Girl loves to help her grandfather in his work repairing cars, and this skilled, upbeat seven-year-old knows her way around tools. As they share a fizzy drink while perched on the tailgate of a broken-down truck, Granddad reminisces about the days when he used this beloved blue pickup to make deliveries all over their island of Jamaica. One day, she arrives to find the blue pickup repaired, almost ready to go; having heeded her hopeful encouragement, Granddad now gives Ju-Girl the last job of checking the oil. The engine purring once again, they take a joyful spin—sharing more island stories of cherished people and places and ending with a poignant gift and a promise. The island setting glows with Mikai’s palette of vibrant pastels; in it lush greenery blooms on gently sloping hills, and softly textured backgrounds evoke the warmth of sun and air. In Tripplett’s charming debut picture book, drawn from her own cultural background, this warm intergenerational friendship shows that a purposeful partnership can revitalize treasured memories as well as machines. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
