Country Crossing

by Jim Aylesworth, Ted Rand (Illustrator)

Recreates the sights and sounds at a country crossing one summer night, as an old car patiently awaits the passing of a long and noisy freight train

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Hardcover

First published March 30, 1991

About the author

Jim Aylesworth was born in Jacksonville, Florida but as an infant moved from the state. He lived in many places during his childhood: Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas... but by the time Aylesworth was 15 his family had settled in Hinsdale, Illinois and that is where he graduated from high school in 1961.

In 1965, he graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a B.A. in English. He returned to Hinsdale and began a career as a stockbroker. By 1970, however, Aylesworth was thinking about what he really wanted to do. After a series of assignments as a substitute teacher, Aylesworth ended up in a primary classroom. He began teaching first grade students in Oak Park, Illinois in 1971 and entered Concordia College in River Forest, Illinois, to earn a graduate degree in elementary education -- a goal he reached in 1978.

But it was his work with children that brought him the most reward. It was Aylesworth's experiences as a teacher that eventually led him to writing children's books.

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! Beautiful pictures. And it is so fun to read aloud. It is full of fun "sound words" that help you make the sound of a train, a car, etc. There is absolutely no plot, but the imagery and language are stunning.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book with noises and rhythm to include instruments and audience participation. must incorporate into a program to see how it translates.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a picture of just a few moments in time, on a quiet summer night, and a few sounds that are heard and sights that are seen. good illustrations

[Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most favorite picture book of mine to read to children. A small short occurrence on a night time drive is masterfully described. The reader and listener begin a simple and quiet journey, traveling on a country road and surrounded with quiet sounds, until the old car must stop at a train crossing. An immediate explosion of sounds and excitement follows until "the sounds are all swallowed up" by the night.
Lisa

[Matthew Bianchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story take place in America long before I was born in 1992.

[Melissa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katharina loved this.

[Chappyfamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels like you are there watching the train go by.

[Teacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful simple narrative & illustrations. Perfect for bedtime.

[Elines Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read aloud book. Since the author plays with many "sound words" (onomatopoeia), there is plenty of room for reader and audience participation. What I loved most is that the author took the time to describe a snapshot in time, the train crossing in the country. I was so captivated by the "sounds" and sights that I didn't notice, until the second read through, that there is no dialogue between the father and son. I highly recommend it to everyone.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book with a sweet heart, but I always sort of hate books with sound-words in them when the sounds are really hard to recreate. Like a cricket noise. I can't do that, no matter how many ways I say chirp. Also, light on light off is not a sound.

The book is very nostalgic, and I like the artwork, but I think you have to go your own way with the sounds and also maybe have some skills as a Foley artist to make the book actually sound good when read.

[Mommywest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of sound words and poetic phrases that take you to the train crossing where an old man and a child wait in their old-fashioned car for a freight train to pass. Very fun to read aloud. A beautifully-done book all around.

[Jon Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book brings onomatopoeia to life by altering the font so that it adds to the meaning communicated in the text. Fantastic imagery helps bring the story to life.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great use of onomatopoeia

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys' favorite book when they were young. The minute you finished reading it they said, "Read it again, momma."

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked the book.

[Garrett Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some awesome illustrations! The book would be one of the first I picked up if I were needing to do a lesson on adjectives.

[April Suter · Rating 4 out of 5]

After meeting Mr. Alyesworth I want to read all his books. This one took me back to when I was little and listening for a train.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of fun to read if you're into sound effects. The illustrations give a great atmosphere to the story as well.