Sebastian the Sports Car by Ann Martin was a favourite book of Mr Z, my now 9 year old, when he was a preschooler. I think it was a mix of seeing the sports car splash in the puddle as well as the fact it has a cool car on the cover.
This book has a message for kids about not being proud, taking time and being careful. The illustrations are fun and detailed and I can remember spending time with Mr Z going through the book and looking closely at the pictures to add to the story.
The text has a wonderful rhythm to it and we had nearly memorised the book before Mr Z discovered something else.
365 Picture Books 