Ju-Girl (Black) loves spending time with her granddad, who runs a garage. “I help him fix radiators, switch out batteries, and even change a car’s oil.” Her favorite thing is organizing Granddad’s socket wrench set. When they take a break, they sit on the gate of his old Blue Pickup, where she drinks Ting and listens to Granddad’s stories of when he—and the truck–were both younger, and he drove to jobs around the island. The truck no longer runs, and when Ju-Girl suggests Granddad fix it he says he doesn’t have time. Then comes a day with two surprises. The first is the truck, running once more. They drive around their parish and Granddad reminisces about places they pass and people who used to live there. The second surprise, when they’re back in town, is a socket wrench set of her very own. “Granddad, do you think one day I can drive the Blue Pickup?” she asks. “Ju-Girl, one day you can have the blue pickup.” An energetic, upbeat tale inspired by the author’s grandfather, who taught her the importance of taking care of old things and “preserving the past through storytelling,” is set in Jamaica and paired with illustrations that reflect the colors of the island and the loving relationship at the heart of the story. A brief author’s note is accompanied by a photo showing that she did, indeed, inherit the Blue Pickup, a coda that will add to readers’ pleasure. (Ages 4-8)

A charming story about a young girl who loves fixing automobiles with her grandfather on the warm grounds of Jamaica, Natasha Tripplett's debut picture book is a perfect pick for fans of My Papi Has a Motorcycle and The Old Truck.

Ju-Girl's favorite days are the ones spent with Granddad in his garage, fixing cars and hearing stories about his old blue pickup.

Granddad used to drive the blue pickup all over the island, bringing happiness to many. And now it just sits in the driveway.

One day, Ju-Girl asks Granddad if he'd ever fix it, and he's unsure at first. But the pair soon finds out just what it takes to restore the memory of the blue pickup and to create new stories along the way.

This heartwarming layered tale, brought to life with lush illustrations by Monica Mikai (Thank a Farmer), reminds us about the joy of repairing things with our hands and preserving stories with our hearts.