A COLORING AND STORY BOOK 
pollution can lead to health problems, such as asthma, especially in children and people with 

respiratory illnesses. Air pollution can also have local, regional, and global environmental impac

Motor vehicles are one of the main causes of air pollution today. Although emissions from eac

individual car are generally low, the effect of millions of vehicles on the road adds up. For man

people, driving a car is probably their most "polluting" daily activity. Using your vehicle less 

frequently by combining trips or choosing alternative forms of transportation can help reduce a

pollution. 

Good alternatives to driving include using public transportation such as buses, trains, and 

subways. The best choices are those that don’t create any pollution at all, such as biking or 

walking. These alternatives also increase physical fitness. 

When you do need to drive, try carpooling to reduce the number of single drivers on the road. 

Also, try to consolidate your trips. Plan to do several errands in the same trip (called “tripchaining”) or park in a central location and then walk between nearby destinations. Each time 

you have to warm up a cold engine, you create extra pollution. 

Finally, taking proper care of your car will extend its life, increase its resale value, and optimize 

its "gas mileage," or fuel economy. Keeping a car in peak condition saves you money and help

protect the environment. 

United States Office of Transportation EPA420-K-03-001 

Environmental Protection and Air Quality April 2003 

Agency 
"I'm tired and my tires hurt." 

Carl is a car who wants some rest. His owners take 

him on lots of little trips—to the grocery store, the 

shopping mall, the bank, the video store, school, an

also to work. 

1

"I think people 

forgot about me." 

Carl drives off to get some help from his friends. 

First he finds Betsy Bike. Nobody has ridden Betsy i

a long time. She decides to help Carl get some rest. 

2 
Bob the Bus also wants to help Carl. Bob is lonely 

because nobody rides him. Bob joins Carl and Betsy

3

I feel so empy

Carl, Betsy, and Bob met Tina Train. Tina is sad 

because people don't take her to go places. She 

wants to help Carl too. 

4 
"Let's go teach people a

the different things they 

use to go places." 

Just then, Skateboard Skippy rides by. He joins 

Betsy, Bob, and Tina in helping Carl. Skippy has an 

idea for how they can help Carl get the rest he need

5 
"I’m fun!" 

"I’m on time!" "I 

yo

ex

Leaving Carl to relax in his garage, Betsy, Bob, Tina

and Skippy travel through the neighborhood, talking 

to people about giving their cars a rest. 

6

People decide to give it a try. Now Tina Train is bus

taking people to and from work. Betsy Bike goes 

back and forth to friends’ houses to visit. 

7

Skateboard Skippy makes many trips to and from 

the neighbors’ houses. Bob the Bus happily rides 

throughout town, full of passengers. 

8

Finally, Carl gets some rest. His friends, Betsy Bike, 

Bob the Bus, Tina Train, and Skateboard Skippy, 

gladly take people where they want to go. 

9

pp gp

healthier he is, the better he’ll drive, and the cleaner he’ll keep the air. 

Life after Carl... 

The next time you buy a car, try one that uses electricity instead of just gas! 

•	 Harry Hybrid: Hybrid cars use gas and electricity to run, which helps 

prevent air pollution. 

•	 Eric Electric: 100 percent electric cars run by electricity alone, which 

keeps the air much cleaner than regular cars. 

For more information: 

To learn more about the environment and transportation, visit: 

•	 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Explorer’s Club Web site, 

which has lots of information and fun games: www.epa.gov/kids. 

•	 The U.S. Department of Energy’s kid’s page, which offers games, puzzles

and educational information: www.energy.gov/forstudentsandkids.ht

•	 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Transportation 

and Air Quality Web site: www.epa.gov/otaq. To learn about 

“green vehicles,” visit: www.epa.gov/greenvehicles. 

2Printed on paper that contains at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber.