A Little Blue Truck - Inspiration in the Everyday

When my son was born, I knew that we were in for a world of trucks, cars, construction vehicles, trains, and airplanes. Boy, was I right! My boy loves all things construction and transportation!

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But what I never thought was that one little truck would stand out above all the rest: a beat-up, friendly, helpful, kind Little Blue Truck.

Horn went “Beep!”
Engine purred.
Friendliest sounds
you ever heard.
Little Blue Truck

Starting off in a bouncing, fun-to-read, fun-to-hear cadence, ‘Little Blue Truck’ is a delight to read from start to finish. The entire book is written in rhyme, but what a rhyme! The brilliant rhythm and rhyme follows a pattern throughout the entire book. It tells a story that engages and inspires. It holds the attention of the reader and endears you to Little Blue and his friends.

This book is packed with all kinds of interesting facets from animal noises to counting to a linear story line that – quite literally – takes you down the road on a ride with Little Blue.

Every time we pick up Little Blue to read his story (and, believe you me, we’ve read his story a LOT!), I find myself being drawn in, taken along for a ride down a country road. Yet, as I started thinking about the story and the characters more and more, I realized that it’s not just a great story told in rhyme. Little Blue himself is quite an amazing character.

Little Blue is friendly: He takes the time to say hello to all his friends who Moo or Oink or Quack or Croak back a friendly greeting to him. (His friends are animals if you haven’t put that together just yet.) He takes his time driving down the road so that he can build relationships with his friends.

Little Blue is cheerful: Who wouldn’t want to respond to a cheery ‘Good Morning!’ or ‘Hello!’ coming from a chipper ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ from a little blue pickup truck?

Little Blue is helpful: He is always willing to lend a hand (or a bumper) to help those who need help, whether they are his friends or not. He goes the extra mile (did you catch that?) to show kindness and compassion and to help others whether or not they deserve it.

Little Blue is observant: He takes the time to notice things that are going on around him. One might even say that he is looking for inspiration in the everyday things around him. (Maybe that’s another reason that I like him so much…)

From start to finish, this fun and silly, yet incredible teaching book that centers around a cool Little Blue Truck is an absolute must-read for any child.

We were first introduced to Little Blue by my mom who found the book almost by accident one day. She was looking at a shelf of children’s books in the store and the picture of a little blue truck on the cover just jumped out at her. She picked it up and started reading and knew that it needed to come home with her so that she could introduce her grandkids to it.

An old, beat-up blue pickup truck sitting in a field, ready to help.

I am so incredibly glad that Little Blue and his friends jumped into my mom’s shopping cart that day! Since our first introduction, we have traveled many country roads with Little Blue: A road in the springtime when he meets all the newly born baby animals; A harvest road where we meet all his friends dressed up in silly costumes, yet revealing their true identity to their friend, Little Blue, on their way to a fun harvest party; A road to the city where teamwork and taking turns take center stage and more!

One of my favorite Little Blue Truck books, particularly as we head into the holiday season, is ‘Little Blue Truck’s Christmas.’ This story not only has the same rhyming, engaging, friendly, and fun elements of the others, but it also has Little Blue delivering Christmas trees to his friends. Along the way, you get to count the trees with your child! Each tree is different, unique, and is loved by the animals that receive the trees. Such a fun and lovable Christmas book!

In my opinion, author Alice Schertle and illustrator Jill McElmurry have created an incredible character both visually and through words. The phenomenal story lines teach incredible lessons such as helping others, the importance of friendship, the joy that is found in the simple things in life, and putting others needs ahead of your own. I cannot recommend this entire series highly enough!

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Elizabeth Tatham, founder of Inspiration in the Everyday, with her coffee

Elizabeth Tatham, founder of Inspiration in the Everyday, is a homeschooling momma of 5 who loves helping other homeschooling mommas create a unique homeschooling adventure your kids will love…without the overwhelm! Join in on the journey with 7 simple steps to make your homeschooling day go faster, easier, and with less tears here.