Additional information
by Valerie E. Critchlow (Author)
Chimpanjammy Sammy & Jalopy Joe: The Journey to Jubilee Junction is a joyful, whimsical picture-book adventure celebrating gratitude, courage, and the magic of new beginnings. When the last day of the year arrives with a great big yawn, Sammy springs from bed in his green-striped pajamas, certain that a Jubilee is waiting somewhere out on the open road. Jalopy Joe warms up their trusty red jalopy, and off they sputter into a day full of wonder, mischief, and unexpected delight.
What begins as a simple ride quickly turns into a full-blown parade of lovable chaos. Mrs. Muffinstock's bakery erupts in a floury "boom," coating the road like a sugar-snow blizzard. A fiddle-playing fox, a kazoo-tooting raccoon, and dancing chickens join the adventure with clucks and kicks. Down by the creek, a frog drumline beats out a thumpy rhythm. A scarf-wearing goat munches the map, and a flustered snowman hitchhikes his way into the back of the truck. Each character adds laughter, music, and the playful unpredictability that keeps young readers turning the page.
But when thick fog swallows the road and the parade grows still, Sammy feels a small ache of doubt. Jalopy Joe offers gentle, steady wisdom: "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." With that spark of courage, they turn down a new path - one glowing with lanterns, friends, and the shimmering welcome of Jubilee Junction.
At Jubilee Town, the critters and neighbors gather around a warm bonfire to share their "blessings pile" - tiny tokens of joy collected along the journey: a ribbon, a feather, a cookie, a button. Together they celebrate the messy, marvelous, unexpected moments that made the year beautiful. Sammy twirls under drifting confetti while Joe's proud grin says he's "still pickin' up what he's layin' down."
Filled with musical rhyme, vibrant illustration prompts, and gentle emotional depth, this story invites families to reflect on the year behind them and step bravely into the year ahead. Perfect for holiday traditions, bedtime reading, and classroom discussions, The Journey to Jubilee Junction reminds readers of all ages that joy isn't just a destination - it's a way of traveling.
