A parent might reach for this book when their child feels like an oddball or is struggling to find a friend who truly understands them. It beautifully illustrates that companionship can be found in the most unexpected places and that everyone has value, regardless of age or appearance. The story follows Josephine, an old, forgotten car, and Jennifer, a scrappy stray cat who makes a home inside her. When Josephine is destined for the junkyard, the two unlikely friends team up to escape, facing floods and fires on their adventure to find a place where they belong. Its themes of loyalty, resilience, and finding your niche make it a wonderful choice for early elementary schoolers navigating the complexities of friendship and self-worth.
The primary theme is the fear of being discarded, unwanted, or seen as useless, metaphorically represented by the junkyard. The story handles this with a direct, problem-solving approach. The resolution is entirely hopeful and secure, reinforcing the idea that everyone has value and can find a place to belong. There is no death, but there is clear peril.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a 6 to 8 year old who feels 'different' or is struggling to find a close friend. It resonates with children who have unique interests or feel misunderstood by their peers. It's also excellent for any child who loves underdog stories and tales of unlikely friendships.
Parent Prep
The scenes depicting the flash flood (pages 30-35) and the forest fire (pages 36-39) involve moments of peril that might be briefly intense for a very sensitive child. A quick preview of these pages is recommended. Otherwise, the book can be read cold without any special setup. A parent has just heard their child say, "No one wants to play with me," or "I don't have a best friend." The child may be feeling left out or worried that their unique qualities make them unlikable.
Age Experience
A younger reader (age 6) will focus on the surface-level adventure: a talking car and a clever cat who become friends and escape danger. An older reader (ages 8-9) will grasp the deeper themes of aging, obsolescence, loyalty, and the courage it takes to save a friend. They will better understand the metaphor of being 'junk' versus being a 'treasure'.
What Makes It Special
Unlike most friendship stories which feature two children or two similar animals, the unique pairing of an inanimate (but personified) car and a cat makes the concept of unlikely friendship tangible and memorable. Bill Peet's classic, expressive illustration style provides a dynamic and slightly gritty visual narrative that avoids being overly sentimental, giving the story a timeless, rugged appeal.
Read plot summary
Josephine, a sentient but immobile antique car, is rusting away in a barn. A stray cat, Jennifer, moves in for shelter. When the car's owner decides to sell Josephine for scrap, Jennifer figures out how to use the car's old hand crank to start the engine. The two escape together and embark on a journey. They face several dangers, including a flash flood that sweeps them down a river and a forest fire they must drive through. Exhausted and battered, they are finally discovered by a kind old man who collects and restores old things, giving them both a loving and permanent home.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the start, Josephine the car couldn't move. How did Jennifer the cat help her? What does this show us about how friends can help each other with their different skills?
2
The man at the gas station called Josephine 'a pile of junk.' How do you think that made her and Jennifer feel? Why was he wrong about her value?
3
Jennifer and Josephine get stuck in a flood and have to drive through a fire. What are some of the brave things they did for each other during these scary times?
4
At the end, they find a home with a man who loves old things. Why was he the perfect person to find them?
5
Jennifer and Josephine are very different: one is a big old car and one is a small cat. What things do you think made their friendship so strong?
