Lucky's 24 Hour Garage

By Daniel Kirk

Book Overview

The year is 1939 and it's service with a smile as Angelo works the latenight shift at Lucky's 24-Hour Garage. America takes to the highway--and readers are drawn along for a memorable ride in this poignant portrayal of a bygone era. Lush oil paintings with a warm retro style are a tribute to this American icon. Full color.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786802006
• ISBN13: 9780786802005
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.3" x 0.4" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

A Great Kids' Book - Based In The Real World

I really like this book. The illustrations are very nicely done, and are a joy to look at for both children and adults. The text consists of a series of vignettes covering the events of one night shift at "Lucky's 24 Hour Garage". The book, set in the late 1930s, provides many opportunities to talk with kids about things that have changed and things that have stayed the same. For example, my son noticed the differences in car styles, gas pumps, vending machines, and even coins. At the same time, he observed how wedding dresses, musical instruments, and the need for gas stations have remained the same. Unlike some other reviewers, I haven't had any problem with the one illustration showing one band member (of many) smoking a cigarette. The truth is, back in the 30s, most people DID smoke. It's just another opportunity to talk about how smoking (and big bands) have gone out of fashion since then.This book is a welcome respite from talking bears and sickly-sweet tales. I highly recommend it.

Nearly Perfect

All in our family are big fans of Daniel Kirk's artwork. We own several of his books. In general, we love this book, but like the reviewer from Austin, the cigarette in one illustration is an issue. Prior to our being given this book, I didn't make a big deal about smoking. Then, my son became obsessed with that one picture (mostly he was concerned about the fire). After reading the book (over and over), he started making loud comments when he saw people smoking. Eventually, I had to put the book on a high shelf. Again, let me stress that this is a fantastic book. The story is wonderful, the illustrations are incredible. There's just this one flaw. If only I could airbrush that cigarette out of the picture.

A lyrical journey for old and young.

Daniel Kirk's rich paintings are surpassed by his prose. It reads like a lullabye, which it is to a bygone era. My 3 year old and I agree that this is our favorite book, and we have hundreds.

A prolog to a great adventure?

I ordered this book online for my son who has not arrived just yet. I imagine he will love this book. His imagination can run wild with all the unique and wonderful people who inhabit Lucky's 24 Garage. I enjoy this style of artwork, but if you don't no amount of story line can hold your interest for long. Unfortunately, the author saw fit to display one of his characters, a musician, as a smoker. We're pretty anti-smoking in my house, in fact, we live in a clean air city. For the life of me I can't understand why someone would include smoking in a children's book. Otherwise, I give this book and it's assist to anyone's imagination an A-