Editorial Review

A little boy in a striped engineer cap and overalls extols the manyvirtues of trains in this boldly colored celebration of that most romantic formof transportation. Holding a toy train, he gazes out his bedroom window onto thebucolic countryside bisected by a set of tracks, while train cars "hoot and roaras they rumble by my door." One long train stretches over the course of thebook; every two-page spread features several types of cars and the boy's simple,rhyming descriptions. "Some carry steel; some carry scrap, or secret stuffthat's under wrap." The latter shows what's obviously an airplane, under cover.Vibrant swaths of color and heavy black outlines make the vivid, almostchildlike pictures particularly pleasing to the eye. And as the last car roundsthe bend, we discover there's a special reason our hero loves trains so much,especially the caboose! Tiny train fans will cheer to find this delightfulcompanion to Philemon Sturges and Shari Halpern's Read more

Reviews (8)

Great train book for young kids
I bought this book as a Christmas present for my 3 year old nephew who loves trains. He was so excited about this book! We read each page together, me reading and pointing to the words and then him reading while I pointed to the words. The text is so simple that after we read the book once, he practically had it memorized and was really impressed that he could "read" the book. As a Kindergarten teacher, I know that this is one of the first steps to actually reading, so I was very pleased that this book could offer this for him. Also, the page with the "secret stuff" seemed to be a space shuttle or airplane, covered with an American flag. At least that's what I thought, and my nephew (who also loves space stuff and airplanes) thought the same.
A must have
My 2 1/2 year old son has loved this book for over a year, and has it completely mesmorized.I have taped the pages so many times, I am going to have to break down and by another one.The inside cover naming all the diffent types of train cars is awesome.You have to have this book, it is THE BEST.

I loved it but...
I bought this book for my three-year old nephew, who is a serious train-lover.I was delighted with the simple, rhyming text and the comparison of the different uses of engines.i was, however, a little taken aback by the page that depicts what appears to be an American missile (too small to be a spaceship)on a journey to a destination unknown.The description of "secret stuff that's under wrap" alsomade me think of a weapon.I felt really uncomfortable giving this to my nephew, and ultimately decided not to.An almost perfect book! It was a shame. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Railroads    6. Stories in rhyme    7. Trains    8. Transportation - General    9. Transportation - Trains    10. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (8)

A wonderful book for all ages
I discovered this book at a friend's house several years ago. It was quick bedtime reading. Upon returning home, I got my own copy, and have since given away other examples as Christmas gifts.
Simply fascinating.
This book describes how gigantic steel and iron parts were fabricated and assembled into giant steam locomotives years ago.It is a fascinating read for any one with any mechanical aptitude or interest.The illustrations -- meticulously drawn and rendered by the author -- are spellbinding.You can't help but say "Wow!" when you see some of them.The only negative I saw was the overly warm and folksy background story as told in an autobiographical style by the author.

Marvelous !!
I'm rekindling my fascination with steam locomotives again.I had read this book about 10 years ago and came across it again on my bookshelf. I'm re-reading it with the same joy/fascination I did the 1st time ! (and I'm no kid at 42 years old - would be nice to have a son to share it with!!) I'm glad I haven't lost that child-like wonder at these huge machines of yesteryear.I feel like I'm the young apprentice in the book, ravenously learning the complexicities of designing and building one of the magnificent monsters !Read more

Subjects:  1. Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporat    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Engineering - General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Locomotives    9. Railroads    10. Railroads - General    11. Trains    12. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    13. Trains & railways: general interest   

Reviews (2)

A favorite gift
I first got this book for my son two years ago and we've been giving it as a gift ever since.The rhyming text and colorful pictures hold their attention and the special train info in the back is cute also.My sonloves the other 3 titles in the series: Dazzling Diggers, Roaring Rockets,and Flashing Fire Engines. Great price for a hardcover book!

"I want it NOWWWWW"
A must-have for the young train enthusiast, this book's cadence is charming and infectious.Its pictures are simple yet engaging.I have just ordered a replacement copy for my 3-year-old, who is heartbroken atthe loss of his original copy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Juvenile literature    7. Railroads    8. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    9. Transportation - Trains    10. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (1)

Perfect Picture Book for Kids
We originally had the Big Truck book...but it eventually wore out because we read it so many times. I bought this one to replace it, and it's even better. The pictures are great, and it helps me use my imagination...to come up with stories to go along with the pictures. My son requests this book as his bedtime story every night. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Kindergarten    2. Juvenile Nonfiction    3. Transportation - Cars & Trucks    4. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    5. Juvenile Nonfiction / Transportation / Railroads & Trains   

Reviews (3)

Good story, but lacking in comparison
Really, I wish I would have bought the original.Strangely enough we had the original version borrowed from the library in the house when this book arrived.Even my 2 1/2 year old daughter prefers the original.It is so much better.The details are more vivid.The language more interesting.This version isn't bad; it just isn't AS good.

Why abridge a classic?
Just buy the REAL Little Engine That Could with its beautiful poetic lines. Skip the easy-to-read version. Little kids have a greater appreciation for real books than some people give them credit for.

Wonderful Book
All I can say is that I love this book. As a childmy mother read me thisbook over and over. Its message is as inspiring to me now as it was then. Ican't say enough how much I love this book. It's a wonderful addition toanyones collection, young and old. Brings me to tears when I read it andthink back on my childhood. I don't think I could have gotten through someof those early years without it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Classics    5. Fiction    6. Locomotives    7. Railroads    8. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    9. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    10. Toys    11. Trains    12. Transportation - Trains    13. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (3)

El
My little newphew loves, loves trains.At this time this is his favorite train book.We read only every other page.The other pages are to long, but he loves it.And I like the theme of the story.

Innovative and Entertaining Presentation of Train History
When my son found this book at the local library, I couldn't wait to write a gushing review. I am really delighted with this book. The more we read it together, the more impressed I am with the author and illustrator.
Trains,Trains,Trains
I checked this book out at the library, and now have to purchase it for a nephew who loves trains.It is a great book that details the history of trains, but adds in a story (a family with many generations working on the trains) to keep the interest of children.Beautiful illustrations with a cat on every page my kids had to find. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Juvenile literature    5. Locomotives    6. Railroads    7. Trains    8. Transportation - Railroads & Trains   

Reviews (5)

Wonderful verse, but politically incorrect
This is a fun read - I enjoy reading verse, and this flows nicely and doesn't feel forced. But there are sections that would now be considered politically incorrect.Combine it with "The Caboose is Loose" for a young train lover.

Mom's Favorite
I never grew tired of reading this book to my children. Am sending copies to my nephews but I can't part with the original because it is my favorite.

A "Must-Have" for Children
Smokey is one of my two all-time favorite books from childhood (the other is Dr. Seuss' now hard-to-find "The King Who Wore Stilts"). My son loves it, too.Bill Peet's adoration of trains is certainly evident in this loving tale about a little switching engine who changes tracks in life.Its a great tale for adults, too.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Fiction    4. Locomotives    5. Stories in rhyme    6. Transportation - Trains    7. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation    8. Picture books   

Editorial Review

Two-time Caldecott Medalists Leo and Diane Dillon (Read more

Reviews (17)

BORING
My son loves trains, but this book is so boring it doesn't hold either of our interests.Margaret Wise Brown is kind of hit and miss to me.I love Color Kittens, but really don't care for quite of few of her other books including the infamous Goodnight Moon.Pick up Chugga Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis instead.We love that one.It's fun to read with great pictures.

Not the best
I read it to my 3 year old grandaughter and she was not very responsive. I think it is hard for a 3 year old to relate to. She didn't want to read it again and frankly neither did I.
A Review of Two Little Trains
My children (boy and girl; 3 and 5) like the artwork in this book, and the cadence of the text -- which is good -- but it just hasn't become one of our favorites.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Classics    4. Concepts - Opposites    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Railroads    8. Trains    9. Transportation - General    10. Transportation - Trains    11. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (6)

Mailing May
This is a very cute book and it has a good story line. I liked the pictures because they look like they were really taken in 1914. These pictures are also bright and colorful and ful of emotion. May is also a very spunky little girl, so that makes it even more fun. And i especially like how they worded it. This story is about a girl named May who really wants to see her grandmother who lives 1000 miles away. But her father and mother can't afford it.But they see how dissapointed ahe is. So they decided to mail her. This adventure is a great book for all boys and girls. Over all i liked it!

Mailing May
I really liked the book Mailing because it was an interesting, funny, and cute little story. It was about a five year old girl who didn't have $1.55 for a ticket to go visit her grandma. SO instead they mailes her as a baby chick through the US Postal Service. Instead it only cost her $0.53 than the $1.55 it would cost to buy a ticket. The pictures in this book were fantastic, they showed al ot of action. THis was a true story.

Mailing May - clever, creative, great pictures.
I love Ted Rand's pictures.I'm trying to make a collection of books with his art works, but there are many.Mailing May is one I hadn't read and was delighted.I saw Ted Rand at work during one of the workshops for Children's Writers of the Northwest.He's pleasant as well as talented.I would recommend this book to those who love little children's stories with substance as well as art work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Family - Multigenerational    4. Fiction    5. Grandmothers    6. History - United States/19th Century    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Postal service    10. Railroads    11. Transportation - Trains    12. First World War, 1914-1918    13. Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational    14. Travel & holiday    15. USA   

Reviews (9)

Great book about facing the challenges of life!
They use the train to talk about chosing your track. My son got this from his kindergarten teacher, his understanding is that its about meeting new friends, which it is and so much more. Because the train is a metaphor for the journey thru life, I think this book can be appreciated by many ages. The pictures are geared towards little kids but certainly it has more subtle messages about how to deal with the "tunnels" in life and not looking back. This is a keeper!

I Knew You Could!
This is a great book for high school or college grads!

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC - A MUST IN YOUR CHILDS COLLECTION
This book was a gift to my son from his preschool teacher this June.We LOVE it!When you read it you will too! Effortless rhyming --- It parallels life, and the many paths or "tracks" we all take.The good the bad, and all in between.The entire book is a wonderful metaphor for life,(without getting too deep) and will be a cherished book in our home.My son is only 3 1/2, but I look forward to him understanding the book more and more as he ages.A MUST have!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Classics    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Preschool Picture Story Books    7. Railroads    8. Self-reliance    9. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    10. Stories in rhyme    11. Trains    12. Transportation - General    13. Transportation - Trains    14. Juvenile Fiction / Business, Careers, Occupations   

Reviews (5)

We NEED to buy this!
We keep getting this book from the library and it's so informative - much more information about how trains work and such compared to Thomas books.Our 3 year old boy is a train fanatic and this book is even fun for ME to read to him because I learn right along with him.We study the pictures and he can point out the semaphores and he even takes what he has learned about how the train fills up with water to his toys.When he plays with his GeoTrax, he is using his imagination along WITH the factual things he has learned in this book.It's a must read - at LEAST from the library, but that just won't cut it for us, we need to purchase it!

Have A 'Thomas' Fan?"The Little Train" Might Be a Good Book for Them!
My 4 year-old Thomas and Friends fan likes this little book which features Engineer Small and his black and shiny engine.While the book doesn't have the Thomas-and-Percy-like personalities which so engage small fry, it does have plenty of drawings of trains and a great deal more factual information than the Rev. Awdry series.
Five stars for hardcover; four stars for board book.
This review covers both the board book (ISBN 037582264X; 32 pp.; c. 2002) and hardcover (ISBN 0375810714; 56 pp.; c. 2000) editions of *The Little Train* by Lois Lenski.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Railroads    8. Trains    9. Transportation - Trains    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Transportation - General    5. Transportation - Trains    6. Children's Baby - Transportation    7. Interactive Adventure    8. Music - General    9. Musical books    10. Pop-up & lift-the-flap books    11. Sound effects books    12. Toy and movable books    13. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Movie Tie - In    7. Racing    8. Railroads    9. Science & Nature - Astronomy    10. Social Issues - General    11. Trains    12. Transportation - General    13. Transportation - Trains    14. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (1)

Quickly my sons favorite book
Zoom down a train track headed for Dreamland with this beautifully illustrated book.This quickly became my sons favorite book (and he has many).From the fun rhyming verses to the gorgeous pictures this book has it all.My son is 2 and going through a train phase so this book is the perfect thing to send him off to Dreamland.We blow our train whistle and cuddle on the bed.He's already memorized sentences from the book and it's the first book he actually has handed to me and insists I read.This book would be perfect for any child.It makes the whole bedtime ritual very fun and my son just knows it's time for bed when we're done.The illustrations are so vivid and detailed that they are great for teaching what certain objects are.I recommend this for all parents searching for that perfect bedtime book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime    2. Bedtime & Dreams    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Fiction    7. Imagination & Play    8. Railroads    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Trains    11. Transportation - General    12. Transportation - Trains    13. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (3)

Best Thomas books - particularly for young kids
My older son is a huge Thomas fan, and had me read him "Thomas the Tank Engine's Big Yellow Treasury" every night for weeks when I bought it. My second son (2 years old) also now adores this book and never tires of the story. Unlike some of the "classic" stories, these are very pleasant and great for small children, as well as for early readers. The books also have bigger and brighter illustrations than many Thomas books, and with 3 stories in one book you get good value. If you have kids between 18 months and 7 or 8 years old, this book is a winner (all of this applies equally to the Big Blue Treasury - the two favorites out of the 30 plus Thomas books the boys have).

Pleasant, noncontroversial and fun.
My 3 year old boy likes this book quite a bit. He likes to have all three stories read to him before he goes to sleep each night. The stories are pleasant enough and the illustrations are colorful. I find the book alittle bland but the noncontroversial nature of the characters (there'snone of the meanness that characterizes some of the Thomas characters) andthe simple storylines makes for good bedtime reading.

My 3 Year Old LOVES it!
My boy loves Thomas, and the two "big treasury" books are now an indispensible part of our bedtime reading.We have many Thomas books, but these just fascinate him - they are a bit more complete as stories (i.e.beginning, middle, end) than some of the other Thomas books, and comfortingin that there's no nastiness, as in some of the early Thomas books (noangry trains, derailing tricks, etc.) I recommend these books highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's stories, English    5. Children: Babies & Toddlers    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Railroads    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Short stories    11. Trains    12. Transportation - General    13. Transportation - Trains    14. Baby books    15. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (2)

Rosie the riveter
This 104-page six-chapter book is perfect for both children and adults wanting to learn about steam power, railroads and the women who worked on them during the two World Wars. We picked up our copy on a visit a few years ago to the U.S. steam railroad national park in Scranton, Pennsylvania. There a woman curator acted the part of Rosie, providing riveting details from the life of a World War II female railroad worker. The children loved it and insisted on getting this volume. Will encourage young women to go into the "mans' world"
I have experience in a lot of the fields mentioned in this book.The photographs and history behind them by Shirley Burman makes the women of yesteryear come alive again in my mind!!I thououghly enjoyed this book,and encourage others to read it.After 27 years on the railroad, there wasa lot I learned from this book...Thanks, Shirley and Nancy.....!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Sociology    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Girls & Women    5. History    6. History - United States/19th Century    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. Railroads    10. Social Studies - General    11. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    12. United States    13. Women railroad employees   

Reviews (1)

uplifting and colorful
I am an english speaking mom teaching my daughter to speak spanish. This book is excellent. The influctions in your voice as you read to the youngster keep her interested. The message is a good moral one. And thepages are colorful and fun. I recommend this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Classics    4. Preschool Picture Story Books    5. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    6. Social Situations - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    7. Spanish: Preschool    8. Transportation - Trains    9. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (3)

A Wonderful Picture Book
As a lover of jazz, and father of two young boys who love trains, I couldn't have been happier with Bebop Express.The language is funky and bold, offering even the youngest of jazz officianados a taste of the instruments and their sounds.This, coupled with absolutely beautiful illustrations helps to make the book a fun read.We've read it over and over again.My kids love to recite it, and we're always finding something in the collage-inspired artwork that we'd never seen before.A must have on your child's shelf!

Cute, but not informative
I purchased this book thinking it would serve as a book we could read to discuss Bebop in the jazz unit I was teaching. The book is cute and all, but it doesn't really inform the reader of the bebop style. It mentions musicians that get on the train at different stops, and these musicians make the band. That's about it.

major success
My grandaughter loves books, all books, I have always depended on reviews to help me select so I wanted to share her love of this book. She cannot get enough of it. We read it over and over, now she has it memorized and says it as we read, she is thrilled with it. We are using it to teach her in addition to her simple enjoyment of the rythm and story about muscial instruments, about cities and where they are and where they are located. I cannot recommend this book enough. I found myself reading it when she was not around. Great book, every child should have it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Jazz    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. People & Places - United States    8. Performing Arts - General    9. Performing Arts - Music    10. Railroads    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Trains    13. Transportation - General    14. Transportation - Trains    15. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (3)

Excellent activity book for the next long trip
We have enjoyed books illustrated by Edward Miller.His drawings are informative yet playful, and this sticker book has page after page of his scenery.The trains are provided by the imagination of your child as he builds it car by car from the stickers in the center of the book.The printing is excellent quality with multicolor smooth pages.This is a step above a coloring book in terms of page quality and "story".
Good for one time use only -- but still fun for a low price
Sticker Stories Trains Great, realistic illustrations & tons of stickers!
My four year-old son LOVES trains, and this book is fantastic.Tons of realistic stickers that can be placed on various landscapes.He absolutely loves this book.I highly recommend this book and any others in this series.They are an excellent value! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Sports & Recreation - General    6. Transportation - General    7. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    8. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (5)

A Rhyming Adventure
"Suddenly, Thomas' driver saw trouble ahead. `Slow down!' said the driver." -From the book
Not written well
I cannot believe this book was ever published. It is the worst book I have ever read. There is no flow to the book and the rhymes are a stretch. The book jumps around and doesn't have any flow to it. I believe this book was written in a matter of minutes. Perhaps it was published because it has Thomas the train in it. VERY disappointing. My son does like the toad in the road but that is about it.

An excellent book
This book is just excellent.It is very well written, no name calling this time, and just an easy rhyming book.Thomas learns that he cannot do anything unless he has a good track on which to run, but his other friends like Bertie the Bus also learn that they cannot do just anything at all as well.Thomas gets stuck by a crack in the track after a hailstorm, and Bertie gets stuck by a toad in the road!However, when the passengers walk to the next train station, all the trains are gone because they've all left and become stuck behind Thomas.James is last and has those bad freight cars with him so he cannot back up and let everyone out.Guess they don't have radios in the trains!However, the road crew come by and repair the track in the pouring rain, and the trains are able to get through once more.Thomas then returns to the station after Harold takes the passengers there and Thomas takes them to their destination.It's a very well written story and I particularly appreciated the much improved illustrations in this book.They're more life-like instead of appearing like statues in the video series.My little one just loves this book and it definitely has become a favorite for bedtime.Believe me, it doesn't take long for a three-year-old to be able to recite it back too!Great job! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Babies & Toddlers    6. Fiction    7. Movie Tie - In    8. Railroads    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Trains    11. Transportation - Trains    12. Juvenile Fiction / Movie or Television Tie-In