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All Aboard! 6 Books About Train Travel
Given the choice between trains, planes, and automobiles, I will always take the rails. There’s something so romantic and inspiring about a cross-country train trip (and perhaps that’s why Amtrak has started offering writer’s residencies!) My love of trains can definitely be traced back to being a kid. Whether it was the electric train set we set up under the Xmas tree ever year, or taking the Metro North with my father from the CT suburbs into New York City, I was always enamored of the railroad. Here are six picture books about train travel to inspire the young railroad enthusiast in your life. All aboard!
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The Little Engine That Could: The Complete, Original Edition, by Watty Piper, George Hauman, and Doris Hauman
One of my personal childhood favorites, this classic picture book is still a delightful and inspiring read. Just the idea of a train full of toys was enough to get my attention, and the self-empowering moral core kept me coming back. What happens if the train breaks down before it reaches the children? Will the little blue train be able to save the day despite her small size? “I think I can. I think I can…” A mantra for life!
The Polar Express (30th Anniversary Edition) (Caldecott Medal Winner)
Chris Van Allsburg
4.7
Hardcover
$21.99
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The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg
In the middle of summer, Christmas may be the last thing on your mind, but there’s never a bad time to pick up The Polar Express. This Caldecott Medal winning story about a boy who gets to take an awe-inspiring train trip to the North Pole, is a must-read in any season. And in the midst of a summer heat wave, reading about a train to the North Pole might be just what you need to keep your cool!
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Curious George’s Train, by H.A. Rey
This book not only is about trains, it’s also shaped like a train! It’s like a toy train but in book form—what kid isn’t going to like that? Add in our favorite curious monkey, and you have yourself a fun and interactive read.
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Shark Vs Train, by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld
It’s shark vs train in this fun and irreverent picture book, and the competition is on! Who would win at video games? Bowling? Piano? You’ll have to pick up this book to find out, and (spoiler alert!) it’s got an incredibly clever ending to boot.
Stop, Train, Stop!: A Thomas the Tank Engine Story, by Rev. W. Awdry
Your child may already be a Thomas the Tank Engine super-fan, as the series began in 1946 and has acquired countless young admirers over the years. In this edition, Thomas is in a major hurry and decides to go directly to the end of the line, skipping all of his usual stops. Express fun for sure!
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Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night? By Brianna Caplan Sayres, Christian Slade
Did you ever wonder where steam trains sleep at night? Maybe not, but these creative authors certainly did! This cute story shows that perhaps baby trains have a closer bedtime routine to their young passengers than anyone would have expected. (Except they sleep under a blanket of stars!)
What train books do your little ones love?