Locomotive

Here is a road made for crossing the country,
a new road of rails made for people to ride.

The mighty locomotives steam across the country. Brakemen, engineers, and firemen work together to make the gleaming engines go, covering coast to coast in less than a week. Hop aboard a shiny steam train and follow a small pioneer family making the trip down to Sacramento by the sea.

Along the way you will learn how the railway operates, watch the plains and deserts go flying by, eat at railroad restaurants, cross rickety bridges, and steam through the heart of mountains. Listen for the clanging of the bell and the whistle of steam. You're going across the country thanks to the mighty locomotive.

Like the steam engine itself, everything about this book is loud and big. The vivid and colorful illustrations of the midwest are matched by the equally vivid narration. Brian Floca puts you right in the action with booming verbs and gentle asides. This is the type of picture book that makes history exciting. A perfect read-aloud book and an excellent addition to the Caldecott list.

Westward, westward, rolls the train...

Review by Lauren Shearer Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews here.

Review by Lauren Shearer
Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews here.