The Red Car That Tyler Wanted is a delightful book by Mary A. Kurban, Ed.D. This illustrated children’s book was the winner of the “Mom’s Choice Awards” medal honoring excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. And this book deserves it.

I received a paperback copy of the book which sells for $7.99 on Amazon. However, there is a hardcover copy for $15.99 and also a Kindle edition for $4.99 as well.

This book is designed for children in the 5-8 age range (or grades K-3). However, in addition to reading this to my five-year-old daughter and eight-year-old boys, I also read it to my three-year-old daughter, who was totally able to follow and participate in the story.

My initial thought when seeing the book was that the illustrations were a little simple, however, while reading the book with my family, I quickly fell in love with the story, and I felt the simply-done illustrations paralleled the charm of the story.

The book chronicles the story of Tyler who wants nothing more than be a good little rabbit so that his mother will get him a red car for his birthday. But while he feels incredible joy in receiving the present, he learns a very valuable lesson: sometimes losing something you love is worth it if it means happiness for someone else.

This story is incredibly sweet and also has a great moral lesson that will leave you and your children with incredibly good conversations to be had. It will remain in our library, and be discussed among my children for many years to come. I recommend it whole-heartedly, and believe it was very deserving of the award it received.

-Product review by Wendi Kitsteiner, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March, 2017