King of the Dump is a new (2025) picture book. Written by Tim Wynne-Jones and illustrated by Scot Ritchie, it is quite strong in some areas, but less so in others.
The book focuses on a father and son’s visit to a dump–a modern one, where materials are separated for recycling. It shows the father nudging his son Teddy to let go of toys he has outgrown, assisting Teddy when he spots recyclables in the wrong place, and standing with Teddy to watch trash being crushed and bulldozed. This is realistic, affectionate, and well-paced: it models patient, supportive fathers who enjoy watching machines with their kids, and explain things, but not too much.
Then the pair go to the “As Is” store, where Teddy donates the dog on wheels he can’t really ride on anymore–he’s too big–and is guided by a worker to select something someone else donated. She awards him a crown, and he’s wearing that when he and his dad see a mother and younger child adopting the red dog toy that used to be his.
Teddy wears his crown through the rest of the book, including on the way home, when he asks if he can come with his dad next time, to which his dad replies “Sure thing, Ted. You’re the King of the Dump.”
This models good father-son behavior, good recycling behavior, and good guys watching machines crush stuff behavior.
What it doesn’t do as well is show conflict or have much active stakes. Teddy’s a little melancholy about giving up his dog toy…but he’s not clinging and crazy. He’s not screaming–as I’ve seen some kids do–that he hates his father, etc. And he gets to see his sacrifice appreciated immediately, which is also a bit too easy.
So, what it does, it does well, but it’s a little easy on the emotions and a bit too clear on the lessons to be truly loved (I estimate).
