When Mr. Gumpy decides to go for a ride in his bright-red car, everyone wants to come along — a rabbit, a cat, a dog, a sheep, chickens, a calf, a goat, and a boy and girl. “All right,” says Mr. Gumpy. “But it will be a squash.” So they all squash in and, for a while, chug along happily. Then it starts to rain, and the car becomes stuck in the mud. Who will help Mr. Gumpy push the car out? “Not me,” says each passenger. In the end, however, they all have to help, and a wonderful time is had by all.

John Burningham, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for his outstanding illustrations, has written a simple story of delightfully understated humor and illustrated it in his most enchanting style.