LITTLE TRACTOR LEARNS HOW TO SHARE

A bright red tractor learns to share.

Little Tractor lives on a farm with plenty of pals. Spring is on its way, and he’s happy, at least until a pair of swallows build a nest in his barn. They require an open window to fly in and out of in order to gather food and nest materials, but that leaves Little Tractor cold and wet during a heavy rain—and he soon finds himself spattered with bird poop. When the farm animals come to visit the baby birds, Little Tractor “feels crowded out of his own barn.” Life with the swallows is noisy, messy, and distressingly different. Irritated, he yells at them, and one of the startled babies falls…and, luckily, spreads her wings and flies. Later, Little Tractor befriends the baby swallow, named Adele. Little Tractor is finally happy to share his barn with the swallow family; when the farm animals work together to scrub Little Tractor’s hood until it shines, “His heart fills with the love for his friends, new and old.” Originally published in Belgium and the Netherlands, this simple, slightly old-fashioned tale quietly captures the trials of sharing space and models the healing value of friendship. Minor tweaks to his eyes and mouth convey Little Tractor’s annoyance, surprise, and delight. Little Tractor is the centerpiece of the illustrations, set against detailed but uncluttered backgrounds, making this book a good storytime read.

Make room in the barnyard—and on the shelf—for this one!