All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine

by Monica Kulling, Bill Slavin (Illustrator)

In the second of Tundra's Great Idea Series, biographies for children who are just starting to read, Monica Kulling presents the life of an extraordinary man. There were few opportunities for the son of slaves, but Elijah McCoy's dreams led him to study mechanical engineering in Scotland. He learned everything there was to know about engines - how to design them and how to build them. But when he returned to the United States to look for work at the Michigan Central Railroad, the only job Elijah could get was shoveling coal into a train's firebox. Undaunted, he went on to invent a means of oiling the engine while the train was running, changing the face of travel around the world. With playful text and lively illustrations, All Aboard! Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine may be the first biography a child discovers, and it will whet the appetite for many more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Biography, History, Childrens, Historical, Trains

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2010

About the author

Monica Kulling was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received a BA in creative writing from the University of Victoria. Monica Kulling has published twenty-six fiction and nonfiction books for children, including picture books, poetry, and biographies. She is best known for introducing biography to children just learning to read and has written about Harriet Tubman, Houdini, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Amelia Earhart among others. Monica Kulling lives in Toronto, Canada.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of us have probably heard of and even used the expression "the real McCoy" (and which means something original, something authentic and not a cheap and usually rather inferior imitation and knockoff), but I bet that the possible history and legend behind said expression is likely not something all that universally known. And with her 2010 picture book biography of African Canadian/American mechanical engineer and inventor Elijah McCoy (1844-1929), with All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine (although McCoy is described as Black and not as African Canadian/American in All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine, and that yes, I for one do prefer the latter), Canadian children's author Monica Kulling shows how Elijah McCoy (who even though he had obtained an advanced degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Edinburgh could due to him being dark skinned only get a menial job as an oiler and a fireman with the Michigan Central Railroad once he returned to North America from Scotland), in his spare time (namely at home) invented an automatic lubrication device for the steam engines of locomotives, which basically continually kept oiling the engines while the trains were running and therefore no longer required so called grease monkeys to risk their lives climbing underneath the train every few hours to pour oil into the engine, with McCoy's oil cup making trains faster and also much safer, and with the lubricating device also becoming so popular and so essential that many other inventors tried to copy and make cheap versions of McCoy's invention (but that train engineers generally only wanted the original and thus kept asking for and demanding the real McCoy, the actual oil cup created and patented by Elijah McCoy, and that yes, although the actual expression "the Real McCoy" might in fact have been around much earlier, it seems to have been Elijah McCoy's oil lubricator invention and that train engineers kept asking for it, for the so called real thing, and not for lesser imitations which the made the "real McCoy" become an idiom increasingly popular in American and Canadian vernacular English).

A generally decent biography is All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine and with Bill Slavin's accompanying artwork providing a very nice and historically authentic (read accurate regarding clothing, train travel etc.) visual mirror of and for Monica Kulling's printed words. But while Kulling's text certainly gives the basics of Elijah McCoy's life and his career as an engineer (and also points out that McCoy had 57 patents and thus was not someone with one major invention and then nothing else), sorry, for me (and in particular for me as an adult reader), what is left out, what is not really delved into enough in All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine does kind of bother me. For indeed and in my humble opinion, Monica Kullling really and definitely should be mentioning in All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine that even though Elijah McCoy was born to freedom in what is now Ontario in 1844 (to parents who had escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad), Elijah still had to attend a segregated school and that his parents sent him to Scotland for university (and at great personal expense), because the University of Edinburgh obviously had no issues with African Canadian and African American students but American and also Canadian universities and colleges obviously did (I found that out by doing a bit of supplemental research on Elijah McCoy, and yes, Monica Kulling's rather on the surface at best textual treatment of racism, that a bibliography is not included and that McCoy's 57 patents, that his inventions are just briefly mentioned but not listed in detail, this makes All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine only worth a three star rating for me and that if I were using All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine with and for young readers, with and for children, I would definitely be expanding on the too superficial for me racial issues and I would also present a detailed list of Elijah McCoy's inventions and patents).

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: Taking my turn before handing it over for a bedtime read to my son, who is very much into inventors right now.

Lovely little first biography for picture book age children or older struggling readers who still like their books filled with illustrations. Of course, Elijah's life is told briefly and rapidly but it manages to hit upon all the major events of his life leading up to the invention of his oil cup which revolutionized steam travel. Not only do we get the facts of this young man's life, we also get insight into the era and the treatment of Blacks in the US and child labour in general. Canadian born Elijah, educated in Scotland, returned to his family now living back in the US, first meets up with a white man's disdain and ignorance as he tries to get a job designing train engines and ends up being an ashcat, the person who feeds the coal into the engine. Along with him is a small white boy, his "grease monkey" who keeps all the parts well oiled climbing under and over the engine in a dangerous job. These injustices though are what keep Elijah up at nights trying to figure out a way to fix the steam engine that causes their job to be so dangerous and tiresome, and for train travel to be so slow.

The writing is age appropriate and interesting and doesn't talk down to its audience giving a good clear picture of the process an engineer and inventor must go through. Slavin's illustrations are wonderful old-style paintings that fit the text perfectly. The story goes on to end with a small page telling where the phrase "the real McCoy" came from and how Elijah had a life filled with engine inventions and even some inventions that had nothing to do with engines, such as a portable ironing board. Young children will enjoy Elijah's story and older ones may be inspired to finding out more about him.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about a young black man, Elijah McCoy, whose first invention was an oil cup for trains so that the engines didn't have to stop to be oiled periodically during a run. I didn't know that prior to his invention trains had to make so many stops to be oiled, thereby making the journey longer. I also found it interesting that he studied overseas in Scotland. And he was the origin of the phrase "the real McCoy"! Very informative and recommended!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Aboard!: Elijah McCoy's Steam Engine (Hardcover)
by Monica Kulling
The story of creation and adaptation that will change your understanding of development.
Elijah McCoy's idea saved the world of Engineers and change the lives of men whom he learned to value.

[Norma Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a PERFECT book for a six-year-old train enthusiast! Or anyone, really. ALL ABOARD tells the story of one of Canada's heroes, Elijah McCoy. He was born in 1844 in Colchester, Ontario of parents who'd come to Canada via the Underground Railway. He showed an early proficiency for mechanics and went on to Scotland to study engineering. When he returned to North America, the only job he could get was an "ashcat" where he had to shovel coal into the steam engine's furnace all day. He soon discovered a major problem. The train's metal parts needed oil or they'd stick and the train would stop. Elijah invented an oil cup that would oil the joints continuously so trains could run much more smoothly. Other people tried to copy his oil cup but but since they never worked as well as Elijah McCoy's, engineers always demanded the "Real McCoy."
I loved Monica's simple and straight-forward telling of this story and I also loved Bill's illustrations of an appealing main character plus those wonderfully detailed train engines. I know my grand-kids are going to pour over this book with enormous and lasting enthusiasm. A real keeper.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine by Monica Culling Goodreads author Illustrator Bill Slavin- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- Elijah McCoy’s parents were Afro-Americans who arrived in Colchester, Ontario from Canada via the Underground Railway. Elijah was born in 1844. His parents worked hard to save money to send Elijah for mechanical Engineering education to Scotland. Here he leant drawing and designing of steam engines. After completing his education, he he returned to North America. Here he got the job of an "ashcat" where he had to shovel coal into the steam engine's furnace all day. He soon discovered a major problem. The train's metal parts needed oil or they'd stick and the train would stop. Elijah invented an oil cup that would oil the joints continuously so trains could run much more smoothly. Elijah got his design of Oil cup patented. This great engineer had 57 designs patented. I have read this book in Hindi language. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I get why a children's science-themed picture book wouldn't look at the way serious endemic racism made up such a very enormous part of this story for more than a passing glance, but I am still taking a star off for it because, well, it's such a very enormous part of this story. Yes, it's the story of a truly game-changing invention, but shouldn't we still take the time to talk about the fact that the incredibly gifted & intelligent man who invented it - a highly educated engineer - came up with the idea while he was *shoveling coal for a living* because of his skin color making him unfit for better employment in the eyes of most of the country? Shouldn't we take at least take a brief pause for discussing the egregious unfairness of that? With that exception, though, it's another very well-written, well-illustrated & quite fascinating entry in this picture book series.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born in Canada in 1844 to parents who were former slaves escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad, Elijah wanted to become a mechanical engineer. After studying in Scotland until 1866, he returned to his family who had moved to Michigan. Elijah could only a get a job shovelling coal into a train's firebox, but, Elijah didn't let his dream die. He invented very important things, the first being an oil cup that improved train travel safety and speed. Wonderful illustrations.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elijay McCoy was the son of former slaves who had escaped via the Underground Railroad. He loved tools and learned engines inside and out. From his job as an ashcat on a steam train, he identified a problem (they had to oil the engine every 30 minutes) and worked until he had a good solution.

A nice biography of an inventor who saw a need and worked to solve the problem.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading through the Great Ideas series, and I have been so far delighted. The series is a really cute, charming, accessible way to introduce kids to some fascinating folks from history. This book is no exception. Elijah McCoy is fascinating to learn about, and this book brings his story to a new audience, the next generation. Recommended!

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story about an inventor.
This book can be enjoyed by preschool age students but I would say it could be enjoyable for young elementry students as well. I love the fact that all the content is clean, motivating and the illustrations are detailed also. This is a 5 star children's book in my opinion!

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for kids. Explains things clearly and the version I read explained the phrase "real McCoy" too!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like it

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative book about Elijah McCoy with a lot of facts.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Elijah McCoy, except in the phrase "the real McCoy". Now I know about another inventor and the origin of that phrase.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable book.

[Yasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book.

[Patsy Froneberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is a biography of the early life of Elijah McCoy written by someone else. He was born in 1844 he grew up in Colchester, Ontario. Elijah began his journey watching his father cut grass. Elijah would get really excited when the lawn mower would break then he would get the opportunity to fix the lawn mower. He always enjoyed tinkering with tools and he was very good at it.
Elijah parents were slaves, they saved every penny so that they could send Elijah to school.. Elijah always wanted to be an mechanical engineer. He got the chance with his first job as an ashcat to show off some of his skills. He noticed that the oil cup did not work properly so he worked hard to build one. He presented it to his boss and he let him try it. Elijah invention made train travel safer and faster.
Elijah worked on engine invention all his life. He followed his dreams. When he got older he encouraged young children to stay in school and follow your dreams.
I would use the book for children in the 3rd through 5th grade children to encourage them to follow their dreams. This biography lends itself to a lesson in perseverance. Some children need examples of how others made the best of bad situations in order to make some positive changes their lives.

[babyhippoface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elijah McCoy, the son of former slaves who took the Underground Railroad to freedom, loved fixing machines and "tinkering with tools". After receiving an education in Scotland, he took a job with the Michigan Central Railroad, hoping to be an engineer. Though the only position available to him was shoveling coal, Elijah took the dirty job for the money and a chance to work on the railroad. As he worked, he was inspired to create an oil cup that would keep the steam engine working smoothly without periodic stops. McCoy's invention was a success--far better than imitations, which lead to use of the phrase "the real McCoy". McCoy's story is told simply, for young readers, and Bill Slavin's excellent watercolors lend a playfulness that will keep kids interested. Libraries will want to add this one to their Black History collections.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an acceptable book. Unfortunately, I don't have it to hand for this review, so it'll be a short one.

All the necessary details of Elijah McCoy's life were covered - unfortunately, the author saw fit to put in that spurious nonsense about "the real McCoy" - a cute story, but the phrase predates the man, and so could not POSSIBLY have come from his inventions.

I did feel it jumped around a bit, especially during his childhood.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was more anecdotal than a full blown biography. It focused mostly on Elijah McCoy's invention of an oil dispenser for train engines and his first job as an ashcat after returning from schooling in Scotland. There was an afterword in which the author described the other inventions he patented later. Overall, the book was good. The illustrations were probably my favorite part. This would be good for younger elementary audiences.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Not at all what I expected!!! Did not know Elijah McCoy invented the oil cup that would change the history of steam engines, or that his family got to canada on the Underground Railroad, or that we owe the phrase "the real McCoy" to this man and his oil cup.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was an okay biography, would have been more enjoyable had i not read the excellent "the real mccoy" by wendy towle a couple days before.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers the interesting story of Elijah McCoy, who invented an oil cup to make the steam engine run faster and more safely.

grades K-2

[Cailean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Checked this out for my son Elijah to read. Loved the story and how the author made it easy to understand. Great illustrations.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want "The real McCoy?" Read this great picture book biography.