Dumpy at School

Book excerpt: Dumpy's back! The beloved little truck, saved from rust and weeds inDumpy the Dump Truck, thefirst team effort of Julie Andrews Edwards, Emma Walton Hamilton, and TonyWalton, is shined up and ready to tackle his first big job off the farm. And itjust so happens that today is a big day for his young friend Charlie, too. It'sCharlie's first day of school. Dumpy has bubbles in his radiator, and Charliefeels his stomach flutter as they each think about what lies ahead. Will theysucceed? Will people make fun of them? As it turns out, both Dumpy and Charliedo quite well. Charlie makes some new friends, trades sandwiches at lunchtime,and wins the respect of all when the kids realize it's his dump truckthat's building the new playground. And Dumpy, after feeling a bit puny andinsignificant next to the huge yellow and black monster machine, saves the daywhen Steady Gus the School Bus breaks down. Julie Andrews Edwards is the author of the The Last of the Really GreatWhangdoodles and LittleBo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea and, of course, the star of MaryPoppins and The Sound of Music. Dumpy at School, the second inthe series about a little engine that could, will be welcomed with open arms bychildren who have a touch of first-day butterflies. (Ages 4 to 7) --EmilieCoulter