
A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling bored or is fascinated by family stories, especially from grandparents. It's a perfect antidote to cries of 'There's nothing to do!' This book captures the hilarious, tall-tale adventures of a grandfather recounting his first trip to the city with his brother. Their journey involves a homemade airplane, a hippo driving a taxi, and a daring escape on an alligator. The story celebrates the power of imagination, the loving bond between generations, and the pure joy of a good, silly story. For ages 4 to 8, it's a wonderful way to encourage creativity and show children that the best adventures can sometimes be found in a story told by a loved one.
None. The story contains only cartoonish, slapstick peril that is clearly fantastical and played for laughs. The approach is entirely secular and humorous.
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Sign in to write a reviewA 4-to-7-year-old with a strong sense of humor who loves silly, exaggerated stories. This book is perfect for a child who enjoys hearing family stories and is beginning to grasp the concept of a "tall tale," appreciating the fun of storytelling that isn't strictly true. It's for the imaginative child who delights in the impossible.
No preparation is needed. The book can be read cold. The comic-book style panels and scratchy, expressive illustrations make the fantastical nature of the story immediately clear to children. It's a straightforward, fun read. The parent hears their child say, "I'm so bored!" or asks, "Tell me a story from when you were a kid." This book models a wonderfully creative response to both situations, turning a moment of listlessness into an opportunity for shared laughter and imagination.
A younger child (4-5) will focus on the visual gags and the high-action moments: the hippo in the taxi, the alligator ride. An older child (6-8) will better appreciate the deadpan delivery of the absurd narrative. They will understand the humor of the tall tale format itself and the playful, winking nature of Grandpa's storytelling.
The primary differentiator is James Stevenson's signature style. The book uses a comic strip format with panels and speech bubbles, which is highly accessible and engaging. The combination of his loose, energetic ink-and-watercolor art with the understated, deadpan narration of completely unbelievable events creates a unique and timeless brand of humor that stands apart from more overtly zany books. It's a masterclass in the art of the tall tale.
Grandpa sits on the porch with his two grandchildren, Mary Ann and Louie, who are complaining of boredom. In response, he recounts the story of his first, wild trip to the city with his brother, Wainey. The tale is a series of increasingly absurd and hilarious vignettes, including building and flying an airplane made of a bed and sheets, getting a ride in a hot air balloon, checking into a fancy hotel disguised as a dog, taking a taxi driven by a hippo, and finally returning home by riding an alligator down the river. The grandchildren are left delighted and skeptical, and the book ends with Grandpa preparing to tell another story.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.