Well Easter has come and gone, and what a lovely time it was. Thankfully here downunder the kids are off on two week first term break and I for one am pleased, as it means the roads are not so jammed with traffic in the mornings, and I can arrive home at a reasonable time instead of sitting jammed tail to tail crawling for close on three hours before pulling the car in the garage and after dropping my bag and kicking off my shoes, collapsing on the couch and falling asleep for a couple of hours until hubby wakes me with dinner and a coffee at the ready. Kids on holiday reminded me of a lovely picture book I had tucked away on one of my shelves.
Dumpy’s Happy Holiday
Authors: Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton
Illustrator: Tony Walton
Published by: Harper Collins Publishers
Age: 3 – 7
Themes: friendship, cooperation, assisting those in need, remaining calm
First Line: An early December sun touched the frosty holiday lights that had been twinkling all night in apple Harbor.
Synopsis: From the inside front jacket… “It’s the holiday season in Apple Harbor, and in the spirit of giving, the Barnes family – Charlie, Pop-Up, and Farmer and Mrs Barnes – launch a charity drive for children in need. As always, Dumpy is ready to help, and soon his dumper is filled with gifts. But what starts as a local effort soon becomes an adventure with international impact. This festive addition to the popular Dumpy the Dump Truck series demonstrates that when hearts are in the right place, opportunities and solutions will surely follow.. and that giving brings its own rewards.”
Why I like this: Yes, well, there are many reasons why I love this cute book. Out of all the Dumpy series this one appeals to me the most, with it’s theme of charity, friendship, caring and assisting those in need. This wonderfully illustrated book with the bright red dump truck, its huge grin, chugs across the pages introducing young children to the joy of giving. Mother and daughter authors, Julie and Emma, ensured boys would love the BROOM BROOM and ZOOMing sounds the text provokes and I couldn’t help but smile at the traffic jam looming across the pages. Oh I wish at times I had a Sergeant Molly Mott escort me to work…lol. With a tenderly hidden cultural aspect, there is also respect between young Charles and his elderly grandfather and the knowledge that anything is possible with patience and calm.
Julie, whom I have met a couple of times briefly is a world renown actress, singer and author, her daughter Emma, my teacher and mentor through “Just Write for Kids” and “The Children’s Hub” have penned many books together, ensuring good old-fashion wonder and wisdom building classics to last lifetimes. Tony Walton, Emma’s Dad, illustrator, famed for his theatrical set designs makes this a loving family involvement. If you haven’t read this or any of the Dumpy Truck series, you should, “the Julie Andrews Collection encompasses books for young readers of all ages that nurture the imagination and celebrate a sense of wonder”… noted on the back of the book.
Resources/Findings: On the Julie Andrews Collection website are colouring pages, party hats and accessories and gift tags and book markers… http://julieandrewscollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Dumpy-Dumptruck-Coloring-Pages.pdf
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus/ A United Nations activity pages for teachers and parents.
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/united-nations/printable/37304.html Information on United nations for teachers.
http://trucks.about.com/od/toytrucks/tp/childrentrucks.htm I thought this would be a great website on obtaining more books on trucks from the bath book to older descriptive books for boys.
For more books with resources please visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Love the theme of this book. And it is done in such a way that it makes it fun to read. Great resources. Thanks for adding it to the already awesome list. 🙂
Thankyou Robyn glad you liked it. Isn’t the list awesome. (have been looking it over)
I haven’t read this one in the Dumpy Series. Sounds great and reminds me a little of the Christmas one where they ensure donated presents get sent overseas. A great dump truck story for boys!
Yes it does in away Joanna, but then when you look further into the back of the story Tony has through his beautiful illustrations ensured us there is a difference in a big way. Thanks Joanna.
That sounds very cute! A three hour commute, yikes! but dinner on the table, that sounds great!
Thankyou Catherine. Yeah it can be quite horrendous at times, but thems-the-breaks! Hubby can be good like that…lol.
DUMPY!!! I love Dumpy (this will not surprise you). I somehow have not read this one, though, and it sounds as though I would love it through and through. I must get this book…
Thanks, Diane!
LOL…. no I am not surprised Beth! I thought you would have read or reviewed all the books in the “collection”, so checked first before posting this. Yes you will love it, thanks Beth.
I have to find these Dumpy books! I’ve heard a lot about them, thanks for sharing.
You are welcome jackie and thanks for popping by, welcome! I am sure you will love them to.
Julies RULE! You are so lucky to have met her and her family! Cannot imagine what it’s like to spend three hours in traffic, but if my hubby had dinner and a coffee for me, well, that just might make up for it!
Sorry Julie I only met Ms Andrews very briefly and Emma through her online course.. LOL… yes unfortunately its the traffic jams that are the “pits”, makes for a very long day. Hubby is good like that….”sometimes”….lol.
The dumpy series sounds perfect for a truck loving kiddo! I like to message behind this one. Thank you, Diane!
Thankyou Heather, yes great for boys! Great message to.
I have read their Very Fairy series, but not this one. Looks cute! Thanks for sharing, Diane!
Thankyou so glad you like this one…. It is cute. Pop back anytime.
I have read the Dumpy Christmas story that involves the UN. Sounds like this isn’t the same book. Any way, it is a fun series, especially for boys who love trucks! Nice choice Diane.
Hi Pat. This one is slightly different. Yes great for boys and very colourful to. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi there Diane, this sounds like a lovely picture book indeed. So lucky of you to have a hubby who cooks! My husband does the cooking (and the grocery too), so we are pretty fortunate in that regard. Enjoy your vacation.
Hi Myra, It is a lovely book and sits pride of place on my bookshelf in the lounge.
We are indeed very fortunate to have such great hubbys, aren’t we? Thankyou, I did enjoy! Lovely to see you here!
When great ideas take on a life of their own, it can be overwhelming, but I love that Dumpy seems to take it in stride and work hard to get the job done. I’ll have to check out the websites. I thought Julie Andrews was married to Blake Edwards and had no idea she and her daughter had written a series of books. how great!
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
Yes you will love this series of books Julie and Emma have written. You can check on the Julie Andrews Collection website for the full series.
Yes Julie was married to Blake. She had taken up writing off and on during their married life and now continue full time with her daughter Emma.
This looks like a wonderful series for boys. I can’t wait to check out Dumpy and crew especially since they are written by Julie Andrews Edwards and Emma Walton Hamilton.
Yes it is a lovely series of books and written by two wonderful author partnerships. Glad you liked my choice Kirsten. Love to hear what you think of the books to.
This sounds like a really nice story with a great messsage. I like the name “Dumpy” too!
You would love this series Erik. Very cute books and so colourfully illustrated. Though meant for younger kids.
I didn’t even know about the Dumpy series. I’m so glad we have PPBF! Thanks for introducing me.
Your very welcome Penny. thanks for commenting.