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Rusty Trusty Tractor
Micah's grandfather is convinced that his rusty, trusty, fifty-year-old tractor will make it through another haying season. But Mr. Hill of Hill's Tractor Sales is doing his best to sell him a brand-new tractor. He even wagers twenty jelly doughnuts that Grandpappy's old tractor will break down. Will Grandpappy buy a new tractor to replace his faithful old friend?
This charming, multigenerational story offers a solid lesson in friendship and trust.
This charming, multigenerational story offers a solid lesson in friendship and trust.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Joy Cowley
1,496 books103 followersCassia Joy Cowley is a New Zealand author best known for her children's fiction, including the popular series of books Mrs. Wishy-Washy.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 24, 2013
We got a themed box of books from the library about Farms and this was one of the books. Once again, a story with a wonderful idea for a plot but way too long for children. I liked the pictures, but they were muted and more pleasing for adults, I think. Not much detail, the enjoyment was all in the story, which my kids had a hard time staying engaged with. My 5 yr old is reading the Chronicles of Narnia with me, so if a book is good, it's not a matter of age attention span. I think the child has to have some sort of vested interest in farms or tractors to enjoy this one. I worked on my grandfather's farm in the summer as a child, and so, this brought back memories for me. This could be shortened up with some more detailed pictures to streamline it a bit for children.
September 1, 2023
A really sweet book about a Grandpa, a grandson, and the Grandpa's tractor. Mr. Hill, a new tractor salesman, tries to get Grandpa to buy a new tractor, but Grandpa likes his rusty, trusty old tractor. This leads to Grandpa getting a box of jerky doughnuts. Wonderful story about how sometimes you don't need new fangled contraption.
November 8, 2017
A wonderful story told with clever and engaging narrative. My family found it to be humorous and we love the illustrations. Well done.
January 26, 2021
A fun story to address different personalities and how things change over time.
Our tractor loving toddler and the rest of our family liked it a lot.
Recommended for 3 and up.
Our tractor loving toddler and the rest of our family liked it a lot.
Recommended for 3 and up.
March 2, 2013
Summary:
The Rusty Trusty Tractor is a pleasant story of an old man and his tractor. Mr. Hill tries to sell a newfangled tractor to the old man, lovingly called Grandpappy by his grandson Micah. Grandpappy refuses to give up on his old tractor and he places a bet of 12 jelly-filled doughnuts, that his old tractor will make it through the season. Mr. Hill comes back throughout the season and still does not believe that Grandpappy’s tractor will be able to complete everything. However, Grandpappy’s complete trust in his old tractor pays off and he is able to complete the season and he even helps Mr. Hill when is “newfangled” car would not start on the cold and damp day.
Response:
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It brought me back to my childhood and running through the field next to the old tractors. I actually learned to drive on a Ford tractor from 1952. I rated this story with 5 stars because I felt it was well-written and the illustrations showed everything clearly.
Classroom Connection:
I would use this book, with others, to do a lesson on trust. I would have students draw a picture of something or someone that they have complete trust. From there I would have the students tell a short story about why they trust that person or item. I think this would help the students understand what trust is as well as allowing them to share a little about themselves.
Text Complexity:
The Lexile Measure for this book is 540L and I was unable to find the Guided Reading level. A late second grader into 3rd grade could read this book. I believe the interest level would be about a 1-3rd level.
The Rusty Trusty Tractor is a pleasant story of an old man and his tractor. Mr. Hill tries to sell a newfangled tractor to the old man, lovingly called Grandpappy by his grandson Micah. Grandpappy refuses to give up on his old tractor and he places a bet of 12 jelly-filled doughnuts, that his old tractor will make it through the season. Mr. Hill comes back throughout the season and still does not believe that Grandpappy’s tractor will be able to complete everything. However, Grandpappy’s complete trust in his old tractor pays off and he is able to complete the season and he even helps Mr. Hill when is “newfangled” car would not start on the cold and damp day.
Response:
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It brought me back to my childhood and running through the field next to the old tractors. I actually learned to drive on a Ford tractor from 1952. I rated this story with 5 stars because I felt it was well-written and the illustrations showed everything clearly.
Classroom Connection:
I would use this book, with others, to do a lesson on trust. I would have students draw a picture of something or someone that they have complete trust. From there I would have the students tell a short story about why they trust that person or item. I think this would help the students understand what trust is as well as allowing them to share a little about themselves.
Text Complexity:
The Lexile Measure for this book is 540L and I was unable to find the Guided Reading level. A late second grader into 3rd grade could read this book. I believe the interest level would be about a 1-3rd level.
October 8, 2012
Summary:
The Rusty Trusty Tractor tells the story of a boy, his grandfather, and his grandfather’s trusty old tractor; however a salesman wants the grandfather to get rid of his tractor for a new model. The boy, Micah, agrees with the salesman however the grandpa does not want to get rid of his fifty year old tractor. Mr. Hill, the tractor salesman, and grandpa make a bet on his old rusty trusty tractor. The illustrations in this book portray a great image of the words for each section.
Response:
Not only is this book a good book to read aloud to the children, but it also teaches the students many things. For instance it teaches the students that with hard work you can accomplish anything even if you’re predicted not to be able to accomplish the goals, which would help the students succeed in the classroom. It also teaches younger students a life lesson, that everyone is taught by their parents or grandparents, if it isn’t broke don’t fix it.
Classroom Connection:
A natural link to this book, like most other picture and children’s books is art. The students could draw and color their own versions of the rusty trusty tractor. However, this book could also work with a science lesson. You could use it to explain agriculture and farming.
Text Complexity:
Lexile: 530L
The Rusty Trusty Tractor tells the story of a boy, his grandfather, and his grandfather’s trusty old tractor; however a salesman wants the grandfather to get rid of his tractor for a new model. The boy, Micah, agrees with the salesman however the grandpa does not want to get rid of his fifty year old tractor. Mr. Hill, the tractor salesman, and grandpa make a bet on his old rusty trusty tractor. The illustrations in this book portray a great image of the words for each section.
Response:
Not only is this book a good book to read aloud to the children, but it also teaches the students many things. For instance it teaches the students that with hard work you can accomplish anything even if you’re predicted not to be able to accomplish the goals, which would help the students succeed in the classroom. It also teaches younger students a life lesson, that everyone is taught by their parents or grandparents, if it isn’t broke don’t fix it.
Classroom Connection:
A natural link to this book, like most other picture and children’s books is art. The students could draw and color their own versions of the rusty trusty tractor. However, this book could also work with a science lesson. You could use it to explain agriculture and farming.
Text Complexity:
Lexile: 530L
July 7, 2011
Granpappy has a rusty old tractor that Mr. Hill from Hill's Tractor Sales doesn't think will make it through the haying season. Granpappy loves his tractor and calls it a good friend, saying a good friend wouldn't let him down. Micah, Granpappy's grandson, doesn't think it would hurt to look at the new tractors, so they go to Hill's to check them out. Mr. Hill bets Granpappy that his old tractor won't make it through the season, but Granpappy is out to prove him wrong! The story got to be a bit long for my taste.
July 27, 2011
This book just touched my heart - the mood and the pictures of the Grandpa Farmer are so authentic. The process of baling hay, the way the farmer stands on the tractor to look back at the rows of mown hay...all of this reminded us of Grandpa Terry and we loved it! It is a sweet story. There is one mention of "Mother Nature" doing the rest after the seed is planted, when it would have been nicer to have had them leave it to the Lord instead...but other than that, a wonderful book and one I made sure to add to our own bookshelf.
March 28, 2015
The pictures were pretty cute but the story was long and not my fave.
August 10, 2011
Lovely illustrations, sweet story with a great moral that kids need to hear more often these days.
January 24, 2014
I like how this showed how hay was produced. Farmers really a lot and work hard.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews