Caboose

by Travis Jonker, Ruth Chan (Illustrator)

From children’s book creator and elementary school librarian Travis Jonker, with art from critically acclaimed illustrator Ruth Chan, Caboose is a hilarious picture book all about the antics of classroom line upEvery kid knows the joy of being line leader. You can make the line go fast. You can make the line go slow. You can stop suddenly and make the line crash—oh, the power! Cedric has all sorts of tricks to make sure he’s first in line. There’s the fast walk, the slow run, the shoulder tap, the slingshot, and so much more. But when Cedric’s line leader antics go too far, he’s banished to the back of the line. The very back of the line.Now that Cedric’s the caboose, he must hatch a whole new world of hijinks. The turtle walk, the step back, the cloak of invisibility, the “no, no, after you!” The possibilities are endless!

Genres: Picture Books, School, Animals, Humor, Childrens, Kids, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Word! As a teacher librarian I have had SO many of the kiddos! :D Caboose is absolutely hilarious! If you work with or know kids under the age of 12, you NEED this book!! Travis completely understands kids & Ruth’s illustrations are a perfect match!! Cannot wait to share this with my readers!
Thank you Edelweiss for the digital review copy!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spot on perfect as Cedric who is always the first one in line is made to be the caboose of the line. Through out this message title children will learn in a fun way that perhaps one doesn’t have to be first or the caboose. Well done by the author and the illustrator. Illustrations were done in ink on cold press paper with digital color. Who knew one could just do the color digitally.
Definitely written to appeal to children!

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humorous look at being line leader at school, then being at the end of the line. Cedric’s over enthusiastic shenanigans puts him in the middle of the line. Any elementary student/teacher/employee will appreciate this funny book.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sassy hippo is determined to be first in line. But his antics lead him to trouble, and to the back of the line - caboose. Will some new skills help or hurt?

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A child engages in obnoxious, inconsiderate, and potentially dangerous behavior to get his favorite spot in line -- first the line leader, then the caboose, and finally the exact middle.

Young readers may recognize some of Cedric's tricks to get the spot he wants. This picture also affords them the opportunity to reflect on both their own behavior and the behavior of others.

I kept waiting for Cedric to learn his lesson, which is clearly you get what you get, and you don't throw a fit or, in this case, line up in whatever random other you happen to be in and walk in an orderly manner at a moderate walking pace. But he never did. What's worse is that he never understood how his behavior negatively affected every single other student in his class. His classmates find his behavior stressful and annoying. Whenever it is time to line up and move from one location to another, Cedric's behavior has them on edge. Once he almost injuries one of his vulnerable classmates in an attempt to cut to the front of the line, and once he almost gets hit by a motor scooter because he was lallygagging at the end of the line. The story concludes with his behaving in a more playful and fun matter to get to the exact middle of the line, but one can only wonder when he will "take things too far" yet again.

The illustrations were done with ink on cold-press paper using digital color.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cedric, our delightful hippo, loves to be first in line. Unfortunately, he is not always kind when he is leading the class. Nor is he thoughtful as he maneuvers his way to be first in line every single time. But he is definitely creative in his plots and plans. Unfortunately, a number of other students come between Cedric and his goal - and Cedric gets in trouble. He is banished to the back of the line. Not to be thwarted, Cedric creates all kinds of tricks for that position, which isn't as bad as he thought it would be. Of course, this too draws the teacher's attention and discipline. And now Cedric is placed in the middle of the line. What shenanigans will Cedric create with his new position?

Every kid (and adult) can relate to moving in a line. And being at the mercy of the person who is leading the line - going too fast, too slow, stopping suddenly, taking an awkward path... Which is why this book will resonate with everyone who reads it. Will you be a bit perturbed by Cedric's self-centered attitude? Most likely. But you have to admire his creativity - and his eventual reformation. It just requires a new perspective.

I really loved all of the different animals depicted in the book! The snake, the shark, the poor goldfish... so much fun!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cedric, a hippo, loves the power that comes with being the line leader and he's learned some sneaky and not-so-sneaky tricks to always being first: the fast run, the arm gate, the feral troll, and more. But eventually Cedric's antics are too disruptive and he's assigned to always be at the end of the line. It doesn't take long for Cedric to come up with some contrary behavior as the caboose: the turtle walk, the cloak of invisibility, the "I'm just admiring this generic motivational poster as if Picasso himself drew it!" But again, Cedric goes too far and is now stuck in the middle. However, being in the middle of the group has a totally different feel. Cedric is no longer a disruptive loner but now he's interacting with his classmates doing things like the joyful skip and the helicopter with friends. A hilarious picture book that teachers and students everywhere will relate to and giggle.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very clever and funny book by Travis Jonker that just about anyone who was or is in elementary school can relate to. Cedric - a hippo is the master of being first in line until his trickery lands him at the end - he becomes the caboose where he also learns the ins and outs of being the last person in line, until his shenanigans then gets him in put in the middle where he must learn to being in between his classmates. It is a great idea and played out with a large dose of humor that kids and adults will really get some laughs. The artwork by Ruth Chan is expressive and funny and is perfect for the pacing of the story. It is a great read aloud for a class or a small group as well.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cedric has mastered being the line leader. He knows all the things to do to make sure he's first, but then make sure he controls the line as well - like pausing too long to look at a poster, or stopping fast so everyone crashes. Finally the teacher has had enough, now Cedric must be at the end of the line. Oh, but there's mischief to be made there too!

The illustrations and text complement each other so well. I love the grumpy faces of his classmates, and Cedric's fun tricks and ideas for achieving his mission. This will be a delightful read as kids get their own ideas for leading or being the Caboose.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any kid who always wanted to be line leader or the back of line person. This cute story shows a hippo who will stop at knowing to be line leader (doing silly things and even some pranks). But then is told they have to be at the back after causing an accident with their shenanigans. Would be a great ST read for animals or even school. Cute big colorful pictures, and humor in there just for grown ups.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hoot! Cedric is a master of being first in line. He does not always use this power for good, though. He loses his job. Then he learns there are great things about being the caboose, as well. Cedric is a refreshing character. His antics are not surprising to this 30+ year teacher, but they brought many giggles. Ruth Chan's illustrations are simply adorable!

Buy this one for your teacher and librarian friends!

[Richard (Rick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter really enjoyed this one and said it was funny and the pictures were great! It's about a silly hippo kid who likes to use sneaky strategies to always be first in line at school, and then disrupt things! So he gets sent to the end of the line, where he learns the caboose also carries a lot of power for mischief and fun! Fun book for kids. I rated 4 stars only because it doesn't have the "re-readability" for adults that for me makes a book a 5 star picture book.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true delight for young audiences, early school kids. That first-in-line impulse is recognizable everywhere, and even when assigned to bring up the rear, as CABOOSE, the lead character embraces the role. Teachers will recognize the intervention- line up in the MIDDLE!
And, though at first bummed at the prospect, the middle becomes a place to surround yourself with friends.
Fun and lively, with language and a classroom of varied animals that delight. Personality plus.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need a new tag. How to do school. Caboose would fit right in. Line politics. It’s a real thing. The skills necessary to achieve your chosen place in line are not to be taken lightly—nor is your ability to realize when you’ve taken it too far. Kids will enjoy, but they may also get some ideas they might not have thought of otherwise…

[Pat Danna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cedric is the line leader--someone always wants to be first, don't they? Teachers can relate. But Cedric loses his position and ends up at the end of the line. That doesn't work. Somehow, he finds the perfect spot right in the middle. Delightful illustrations. A good read for little ones, that you don't always have to be first! And Cedric's happy with that, too!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young hippo is very adept at making sure he is always line-leader. But when his antics cause problems, he finds himself relegated to line-caboose. However, again, he finds he cannot stop causing mayhem. When he finds himself smack in the middle of the line, it takes time, but he finally finds his groove.

Good for teaching a lesson, but overall it's kinda meh.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't 100% know if I get the moral this book was going for, but in terms of fun, Caboose" is very near the front of line. I really enjoyed the whimsically named scams/techniques our hippo friend employs to ensure his place when the class lines up, which are illustrated to perfection by Ruth Chan.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get a sneak peek of this book by Travis Jonker. It is so hilarious and spot on when it comes to students lining up at school. I think teachers are going to love reading this book to their students. Also, I loved the illustrations too.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids and teachers will all relate to the antics of students attempting to secure their coveted place in line , be it at the beginning or the end. Lots of details to examine in the fun illustrations.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every teacher knows a kid like this hippo (who’s only referred to by name on the jacket flap as Cedric) who exuberantly has to be first in line. Love how he takes the caboose news in stride and develops a new zest for being last in line. Cute pics - love the variety of animals and their wardrobes.

[Abbigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this picture book will really appeal to teachers and kids in school. Attempting to do all of the silly "skills" mentioned throughout the book would make it a fun read-aloud. This is a good addition to collections about school that go beyond first day of school or new school.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laughed when I found that the author was an elementary school teacher and librarian because the first words out of my mouth after reading were “this was written by a teacher who was sick of kids fighting about where they are in line” 🤣

[Serhiy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caboose it up!

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good lesson in this book!

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not always best to be first or last an elementary student finds he's smack dab in the middle.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny! Kids will like it.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many kids will see themselves in this tale of elementary school joining up and a BIG personality. Perfect that the main character is a hippo.

[Megan Sanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed with the puffer fish character who is in a fish bowl, traveling on a skate board.

SOOOOOOOOO glad Ruth Chan has created art for this year's iRead SRP!

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for teaching about line order

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my favorite kidlit creators. This book is a humorous delight.