In more than one respect, Ertl, long the most celebrated name in diecast toy tractors, is much like Tonka: both were founded shortly after World War II in the basements of enterprising Midwesterners. Although Ertl, also like Tonka, has produced countless toy trucks, this book will focus solely on the Iowa toymaker's true bread and butter: toy tractors produced from 1945 to present. Two hundred color photos depict Ertl's 1/16- and 1/64-scale tractors, up close with theater-gel backgrounds, diecast implements, and the sort of plastic injection-molded farmers and livestock with which Ertl has often packaged its tractors. Accompanying the is the story of how this Dyersville-based company grew by leaps and bounds, including founder Fred Ertls' first licensing of some of these companies' names and actual designs in 1945 , the family-based assembly line he and his wife established in their home, Ertl's renowned commitment to quality, and the incredible detail that goes into today's precision-made scale models.- Most collectible toy tractors available today are produced by Ertl- The truly American story of how an unemployed immigrant foundryman licensed the designs of ag giants I-H and J-D, melted surplus aluminum aircraft pistons in his basement furnace, poured the slag into hand-made sand molds, and put his five sons to work assembling and painting the tractors at the kitchen table- New 1/16 scale Ertl tractors typically sell in the $60 price range; most highly collectible vintage examples in the mid-three-figure range- WalMart is the #1 customer; followed by Farm & Fleet- Ertl, celebrating its 60th Anniversary, is the 900 pound gorilla in this categoryAbout the AuthorPatrick Ertel is the publisher for Antique Power magazine. Catherine Lee Phillips provided the photography for the book. They both live in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

The perfect bedtime book from Nick East and Michelle Robinson - Goodnight Princess As a little girl says goodnight to her dressing up clothes and dolls she is transformed into a princess in a magical realm. A beautiful rhyming text is accompanied by atmospheric illustrations which will delight and soothe all little girls as they snuggle up in bed. A follow-up to the wonderful Goodnight Tractor and Goodnight Digger, this is the perfect bedtime book. Michelle Robinson has always wanted to be an author like her hero Roald Dahl, but all they had in common was the same birthday and a love of chocolate. Now at last, Michelle is a real author too. She lives in Frome, Somerset with her husband, son and daughter. Visit her at www.michellerobinson.co.uk. Nick East has been working as a museum designer for the past 16 years but has always been a storyteller, whether as a child, filling sketchbooks with quirky characters, or as a designer displaying a collection of ancient artifacts. Nick lives near York with his wife and two children and, when he isn't drawing, he is out riding bikes and spending time with his family.

Generations have fallen in love with this classic story of a grandson and grandfather whose visit to a family farm with a special tractor brings back memories. Don't miss the new companion title Grandma's Farm — now available! Grandpa Joe takes his grandson Timmy back to the site of his family’s farm, where the old house and a ramshackle barn still stand. The visit stirs up memories for Grandpa Joe—in particular, the majesty of his own father's shiny red tractor, now rusting in the forgotten fields. An ideal gift, this picture book evokes nostalgia while demonstrating a special bond between a grandparent and grandchild.

A detailed Reference Guide to Metal Pedal Tractors with full color pictures. Small model toy tractors have been on the market since the 1920's but pedal tractors were not produced until the late 1940's. The first pedal tractor, a John Deere Model A was produced by Eska in 1949. It is prized by collectors and can bring a high price in good condition. Ertl came out with pedal tractors shortly after Eska and continues to produce them today. Scale Models has also manufactured pedal tractors since the 1980's in their U.S. based plant. Since the 1970's pedal tractors have enjoyed renewed popularity mostly due to their collectability. Today approximately sixty percent of all pedal tractors are sold to collectors. The other forty percent are sold for use by children. Collecting and use of these mini tractors as riding toys are not mutually exclusive. Kids can enjoy riding them and the value will still increase over time if they are not abused. Kids love pedal tractors, in part because they are much like the real thing. Children age's three to seven are the perfect age to enjoy these special toy tractors. One popular event at many county fairs is the kiddie tractor pull. These pulls are just like tractor pulls for adults but with pedal tractors they operate under kid power only. The following tractors are included in the new book: Agco Allis, All American, Allis Chalmers, Case, Case International, Caterpillar, Cub Cadet, Duetz-Allis, Farmall, Farmer Boy, Ford, Heisler, Heston, International, John Deere, Kubota, Massey Harris, Massey Ferguson, Minneapolis Moline, New Holland, Oliver, Tractol, White, & White Oliver. Also includes custom models, parts, scale model private issues, trailers, and umbrellas.

Tractor Mac: Worth the Wait stars the lovable pigs, Pete and Paul, as they learn the importance of patience when they try (unsuccessfully) to speed along the growth of Farmer Bill's prize watermelons.