The true story of Ole Blue Smith, an 1950s dump truck who was restored by a father and son and who became a beloved member of a large family.  The book's heart-warming message is about the joy of being a part of a loving family  -  in this case four generations of the Smiths - covering over 80 years from the oldest to the youngest.  While the book portrays the story of a real family, its themes are universal.