Hachette Children’s Books ISBN 9781444948202 £12.99
Who needs a film when you’ve got a short, punchy picture book about a flying car! I tried to read this as if I was coming to the story for the first time with no preconceived ideas and I loved it and, more importantly, I thought children from 5-10 would love it too, read independently or read to them as reading ability allows. There is some lovely rich language and descriptive vocabulary which makes me a fan. The car “glistens and gleams and thunders into life”. The muted colours of the illustrations are rich in detail, humour and touches of both the historic and the modern. The cars on the motorway are authentic to bygone times but the children in their bike helmets keep it up to date. In traditional picture book format there is not too much print on the page and so might be a great read for a reluctant or struggling reader whilst maintaining the interest and pace for those in an older age range. This is an indulgent read for story sake. There is no need to pull out morals or discussion points just enjoy the imaginative, adventure of an ordinary family and their flying car.
Jane Macleod