There aren’t enough picture books about cars. Many young children are fascinated by cars and other vehicles (certainly as many as are interested in farm animals), but cars aren’t prominently featured in most books for young children. “Clink Clank Clunk!” gives a car its starring role, and children respond enthusiastically to it.
Rabbit is going for a drive in his old car. As he picks up more and more of his friends, who all happen to need rides into town for one reason or another, more parts of his beat-up car act up, break, or fall off, making lots of noises as they do. Children enjoy making the sounds, rumbling, hissing, popping and pinging. Add the sounds of the various animal friends and you’ve got a very noisy (I’d say musical) story. The many opportunities for children to join in the telling of the story keep them engaged and focused. And of course the story itself, with its wild and zany road trip, is very entertaining.
Not too many stories have the variety of sounds found in “Clink Clank Clunk!” Just for fun, you could also add rhythm instruments, letting your students suggest different instruments to portray the various car noises in this silly, fun story.