Train Trip

by Deanna Caswell, Dan Andreasen (Illustrator)

A lucky little boy is going to visit Grandma! But as much as he looks forward to seeing his grandmother's friendly face, the ride on the train may just be the best part of the trip. There are bridges to cross, instruments to study, and aisles to tromp up and down. All aboard!

Genres: Picture Books, Trains, Transport, Storytime, Childrens, Travel

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 23, 2011

About the author

I write children's books, I'm more famous in my area for my pets! See my new book Little House in the Suburbs and videos uploaded below and the newspaper links here, here, here, here, and here.

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story but I tend to find quick two word phrases a bit disjointed in a children’s book.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy and his mom wait for the train that will take him to visit to grandma. On the trip, the conductor shows him the ropes of operating a train, even letting him blow the whistle. The boy arrives in the city his grandma lives in, and as he passes the train he just disembarked, he thinks about how someday he will operate the train.

Rand loves it so it is clearly a winner!

Toddler

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A boy from the country embarks on a solo adventure to visit his grandma in the city. His train ride is recounted in cartoony illustrations and whimsical rhymes. I liked the story okay, thanks to some parallels to my first ever airplane trip, but found the pictures and poetry kind of hokey. So I might recommend it to a train enthusiast and include it in a train-themed display, but it would not be my first choice for story time.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A happy little story about taking a trip on a train. Simple text that chuggs right along and rhymes paired with charming illustration with a slightly old feel make this a great read aloud! I would recommend this book to any Thomas the Tank Engine enthusiast, include it in a train or transportation display, or read it in a Train-themed storytime.

[Yelena · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you are familiar with Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, I think you'd agree with me that the train engine in this book brings to mind Blaine, the evil sentient locomotive. Between the sickeningly cute illustrations, characters reminiscent of "Puffs" commercials, and forced rhymes, I'm not sure that I'd recommend this book to even the most die-hard trains-obsessed child.

[Maria Burel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Train Trip tells the story of a little boy traveling across the countryside to meet his grandmother in the city. The couplet-style text feels rhythmic, almost mimicking the motion of the train. Lots of happy, smiling faces, too, including that of the train itself. A good one for a young child about to experience this form of public transportation for the first time.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very charming fun story written about a little boy and his adventure on the train. Written almost in poetry format, introduction to poems to little readers. Two to three words per sentence but enough to get the meaning of the story. The illustrations were beautiful as well. My 3 year old granddaughter enjoyed looking through this and making up her own story by the pictures.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so train books do well in our house. This one was no exception although I have enjoyed other titles more. A little boy takes a train ride alone (and at night) to see his grandma. Short rhymes...and agreed with some other reviewers, the train's is (at times) on the verge of creepy.

[Janae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give this a 3.5. A little boy rides a train (by himself!) to his grandmother's house. It's written in mostly two-word sentences: "Buildings loom. Engine slows. Destination. Station glows." Good for teaching poetry.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy travels by train to his grandma's house.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for toddlers and preschoolers!

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright colorful picture to share with your little ones who are fascinated with trains or might be taking a train ride soon.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay little train book for the short rhymes, but not my favorite.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice illustrations; short rhymes; will make a terrific story time book.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy alone on a Train Trip. "Shoulder tap. 'Follow me.' 'Where to?' 'You'll see' " uh... no thanks

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice art. Reminds me of my friend Dolores Avendano. The jerky, poetic nature of the text is also interesting.

[Leona · Rating 3 out of 5]

follow a little boy as he goes on a train trip to the big city. he event gets to toot the train whistle!

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, but I think I am the only one who had a problem that the mother sent the kid on a train trip alone. Other than that, told in cute rhyme with a "Thomas the Train" feel to the illustrations.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations. I liked the short and snappy text.

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know a couple of young train enthusiasts who will love this one!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't gage the age of the kid taking a trip, but he is all alone by himself. Weird.

[Courtney Baird]

This is a very cute short rhyming childrens book about a boys trip to visit his grandma! It's a very cute book about his experience he has on the train. He describes what he's looking at and also the interaction he had with the conductor as he showed him the front of the train and lets him sound the wistle. In the end he unites with his grandma and says he cannot wait to drive a drive one day. This is a very sweet book of how small children have big dreams. He loves trains and being able to ride on one was amazing for him.