Matthew and the Midnight Tow Truck

Adele Ashby was the former editor of Canadian Materials for Schools and Libraries.

Matthew and the Midnight Tow Truck may be the ultimate little boy fantasy. Matthew, who looks to be about six, has had a bad day: first, no red licorice and then he cannot find his best toy van. Sent to bed, he fantasizes an adventure with the Midnight Tow Truck Driver. Matthew helps to hook cars; they share a snack of red licorice; they trade with other tow truck drivers; and they take all the vehicles they have gathered and run them through a special car wash that can shrink them down to Matthew’s pocket size. The Midnight Tow Truck Driver presents Matthew with a van to replace the one he has lost, and, when he drops Matthew off, they make a special deal to ensure that Matthew’s mom’s car is never towed away.

Allen Morgan has finally got it right! He has produced a story that is comparable to the best of Robert Munsch. And Munsch’s long-time illustrator, Michael Martchenko, has once again perfectly captured the flavour of the story in his wonderful pictures. A winner!