King of the Dump

King of the Dump

Written by: Wynne-Jones, Tim
Illustrated by: Ritchie, Scot
ages 3 to 6 / grades P to 1

Teddy is the king of the dump!

Teddy and his dad are going to the dump. At the rural waste management center, Teddy helps to sort the recyclables, using a garbage claw to rescue a missorted bottle, chasing scrap paper and watching (and hearing!) the compactor at work. “Got to make it as small as possible,” Dad says as they watch forklifts and bulldozers moving garbage into piles that stretch as far as the eye can see, “because there’s soooo much.” Finally, it’s time to visit the “As Is” store, where Teddy is sad to be leaving his beloved ride-on dog toy. Teddy is too big for the toy now, but will he be able to part with it?

A fun, thoughtful story about big machinery, recycling and learning to let go of the things we no longer need.


Key Text Features

dialogue

illustrations

speech bubbles


Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7

With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Teddy is the king of the dump!

Teddy and his dad are going to the dump. At the rural waste management center, Teddy helps to sort the recyclables, using a garbage claw to rescue a missorted bottle, chasing scrap paper and watching (and hearing!) the compactor at work. “Got to make it as small as possible,” Dad says as they watch forklifts and bulldozers moving garbage into piles that stretch as far as the eye can see, “because there’s soooo much.” Finally, it’s time to visit the “As Is” store, where Teddy is sad to be leaving his beloved ride-on dog toy. Teddy is too big for the toy now, but will he be able to part with it?

A fun, thoughtful story about big machinery, recycling and learning to let go of the things we no longer need.


Key Text Features

dialogue

illustrations

speech bubbles


Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7

With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Aug 5, 2025
Specifications 32 pages | 9.75 in x 10.75 in
Written By

TIM WYNNE-JONES is the author of more than 35 books and is a two-time winner of the Governor General's Award, as well as a two-time winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award and of the Arthur Ellis Award. His recent books include War at the Snow White Motel and The Starlight Claim. Tim is the recipient of the Edgar Award, the Vicky Metcalf Award for a Body of Work and is an Officer to the Order of Canada. He lives in Perth, Ontario.

Illustrated by

SCOT RITCHIE is an award-winning illustrator and author with more than seventy books to his credit, including Tug, P'ésk'a and the First Salmon Ceremony, Federica and Owen at the Park. His books have been translated into French, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Finnish, Arabic and Dutch. Scot has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and has exhibited his illustrations at the National Gallery of Canada. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Written By

TIM WYNNE-JONES is the author of more than 35 books and is a two-time winner of the Governor General's Award, as well as a two-time winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award and of the Arthur Ellis Award. His recent books include War at the Snow White Motel and The Starlight Claim. Tim is the recipient of the Edgar Award, the Vicky Metcalf Award for a Body of Work and is an Officer to the Order of Canada. He lives in Perth, Ontario.

Illustrated by

SCOT RITCHIE is an award-winning illustrator and author with more than seventy books to his credit, including Tug, P'ésk'a and the First Salmon Ceremony, Federica and Owen at the Park. His books have been translated into French, Korean, Indonesian, Polish, Finnish, Arabic and Dutch. Scot has worked with the National Film Board of Canada and has exhibited his illustrations at the National Gallery of Canada. He lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Audience ages 3 to 6 / grades P to 1
Key Text Features

dialogue; illustrations; speech bubbles

Common Core CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7