A charming story about a father who is going home with a birthday present for his son but his various modes of transport breakdown along the way, forcing him to improvise. The story unfolds in an interactive process of discovery and surprise through a series of smaller and smaller inserts which hide the father's succeedingly smaller improvisations and also give a wonderful sense of distance travelled as the story unfolds. The illustrations are set in predominantly white pages which, with the absence of background, effectively focus only on what is essential to the plot. This is a book of simple techniques in design and illustration with brilliant effects that will delight the young reader. A large format soft cover book, with a beautiful vintage feel. First published in 1945.