The Green Machines · Book Four
Dinky
Dinky is Book Four of The Green Machines, a children's picture book series by David Woods. The little scout with a secret, and why taking part is what counts.
The little scout with a secret, and why taking part is what counts.
Dinky is the smallest of the Green Machines, and he can drive backwards just as fast as forwards. On the day of the Harbour Fair, Mayor McNeil puts him at the front of the convoy as its scout. When a sea mist rolls in and the lane fills with Farmer Geoff's sheep, going backwards turns out to be exactly what is needed. Then, at the prize-giving, somebody shouts that Dinky is not a real Dingo at all.
What is it about?
It does not matter where you were made. It is taking part and joining in that counts.
Book details
- Written by
- David Woods
- Reading age
- 4 to 8
- Pages
- 32
- Format
- 32-page square picture book, 146 x 146 mm
- Series
- Series One
- First published
- 2026
Friends in this story
People: Mayor McNeil, Tony the chauffeur, Billy, Poppy, Paul, Farmer Geoff, Professor Oddball.
Places: the village green, Hollow Lane, the harbour.
Look inside
Which real vehicle is Dinky based on?
Real Dinky is a copy of a Daimler Scout Car, which soldiers nicknamed the Dingo. Real Dingos were built in Britain between 1939 and 1945, and 6,626 were made. A Dingo has five gears forwards and five gears backwards, so it really can drive as fast backwards as forwards.
Meet Dinky →