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Train!
Little Elephant LOVES trains. One day, Mommy and Daddy take Little Elephant for a ride on a real train, and Little Elephant is so excited! But on the train, Little Elephant gets angry when no one wants to play trains with him. Cat wants to play with his plane. Penguin wants to play with his car. And Rabbit would rather play with his digger. How will they all find a way to play together?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2014
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
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October 26, 2020I hate this one but it’s my sons current favorite. Help me.
August 22, 2014
YEAAHH! Little Elephant ONLY likes trains. Oh my god did I have that kid. The Thomas the Tank Engine theme song still rolls through my head like a demon calliope. I can still name you 25 Thomas engines without even breaking a sweat - I was hanging with a little kid at a toy store train table a couple weeks ago and asked him his favorite train. "Percy!?" I scoffed. "Percy sucks - he has such an unwarranted inferiority complex! Why not Boco? Ben? Even James! Not Diesel 10 - that guy's a dick - but how about Mavis?" Not in so many words.
And can I ask - why the hell do libraries (mine included) and children's bookstores and mall kid corrals all have train tables? Train tables come with the extra added feature Inevitable Conflict. Tracks are LINEAR. You are GOING to have a head to head pissing match. PLUS 50% of the toddlers in the world believe that once they have had their hands on a Thomas train, that train car is THEIRS. He has been PLAYING with it. He has given that train a personality and a story in his head and now you are saying they must be PARTED?! Nuts to that bullshit. And there it goes. There are more tearful, furious scenes at public train tables than there are on the first day of daycare.
Anyway. Little Elephant. On a train ride (a real train, Joel) Little Elephant meets up with kids who are NOT into trains. Little Cat is into planes, Little Penguin likes cars. "Whatever, kids," Little Elephant thinks. His first exposure to people who are not exactly like him convinces him that they are notably inferior. Yep. Welcome to being you, buddy. But then the train goes through a tunnel and all the toys get mixed up and then they play together and all their single words, "Train-plane-digger-digger, train-plane-car!" string together into a train song. SO satisfying!
And can I ask - why the hell do libraries (mine included) and children's bookstores and mall kid corrals all have train tables? Train tables come with the extra added feature Inevitable Conflict. Tracks are LINEAR. You are GOING to have a head to head pissing match. PLUS 50% of the toddlers in the world believe that once they have had their hands on a Thomas train, that train car is THEIRS. He has been PLAYING with it. He has given that train a personality and a story in his head and now you are saying they must be PARTED?! Nuts to that bullshit. And there it goes. There are more tearful, furious scenes at public train tables than there are on the first day of daycare.
Anyway. Little Elephant. On a train ride (a real train, Joel) Little Elephant meets up with kids who are NOT into trains. Little Cat is into planes, Little Penguin likes cars. "Whatever, kids," Little Elephant thinks. His first exposure to people who are not exactly like him convinces him that they are notably inferior. Yep. Welcome to being you, buddy. But then the train goes through a tunnel and all the toys get mixed up and then they play together and all their single words, "Train-plane-digger-digger, train-plane-car!" string together into a train song. SO satisfying!
March 8, 2015
Train! is about Little Elephant who loves trains. He loves trains that much he refuses to play with anything else. So when his Mommy and Daddy take him for a ride on a real train, it’s there that he meets other animals but gets angry when no-one wants to play trains with him. That’s because Cat loves planes. Rabbit loves diggers, and Penguin loves cars. But how can these four animals play together when they all like different toys?
I have mixed feelings about this book. My daughter and I enjoyed it but there were times when we were ready to give up. The overall story about Little Elephant and his friends trying to play with new toys rather than the ones they always play with, we enjoyed. The illustrator did a fantastic job with capturing the emotions of the animals and creating bright and beautiful pages to look at. It’s very educational for little ones, especially those that are obsessed with one specific toy because it teaches them that there are other toys out there to play with and it also teaches them that playing together is good. But the story is very repetitive. It was clearly meant to be that way to add to the obsessiveness that the animals had over their toys, but for me I was more frustrated having to read the same words over and over again, while my daughter found it funny to start with but soon lost interest. I’d definitely say my daughter was a little old for this story (she’s nearly 5), so I’d say it would suit the a younger audience.
Thank you to Tiger Tales for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this book. My daughter and I enjoyed it but there were times when we were ready to give up. The overall story about Little Elephant and his friends trying to play with new toys rather than the ones they always play with, we enjoyed. The illustrator did a fantastic job with capturing the emotions of the animals and creating bright and beautiful pages to look at. It’s very educational for little ones, especially those that are obsessed with one specific toy because it teaches them that there are other toys out there to play with and it also teaches them that playing together is good. But the story is very repetitive. It was clearly meant to be that way to add to the obsessiveness that the animals had over their toys, but for me I was more frustrated having to read the same words over and over again, while my daughter found it funny to start with but soon lost interest. I’d definitely say my daughter was a little old for this story (she’s nearly 5), so I’d say it would suit the a younger audience.
Thank you to Tiger Tales for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2021
Elliott *loves* this book, and he's right, it's great.
September 9, 2015
The idea behind this story was a good one but it just wasn't written out very well. A little elephant loves his trains but when he goes on an actual train ride he finds other little boys that like cars, planes, etc. and none wants to play the others but they later learn that each toy is just as good as the one before and in the end they all become friends. It does have many repeat words like train, car, plane, so a beginning reader could use this to learn with since the words are repeated LOTS and LOTS throughout the story.
July 15, 2025
Train! by Judi Abbot is a short, sweet, and delightfully illustrated picture book that captures the highs and lows of toddler emotions through the universal love of toys.
The story follows a little elephant who really loves trains. But when other animals prefer cars, planes, or diggers, things take a turn until they all learn that sharing and playing together can be even more fun. It’s a simple storyline, but one that resonates with young children navigating big feelings like frustration, excitement, and joy.
The illustrations are bright, playful, and full of charm, bringing life to each animal character and their favorite vehicle. The emotional expressions are easy for kids to recognize, making this a great conversation starter about feelings, patience, and compromise.
With minimal text and a strong visual appeal, Train! is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers especially those who love anything with wheels. A cute and colorful story with a gentle message about sharing and friendship.
The story follows a little elephant who really loves trains. But when other animals prefer cars, planes, or diggers, things take a turn until they all learn that sharing and playing together can be even more fun. It’s a simple storyline, but one that resonates with young children navigating big feelings like frustration, excitement, and joy.
The illustrations are bright, playful, and full of charm, bringing life to each animal character and their favorite vehicle. The emotional expressions are easy for kids to recognize, making this a great conversation starter about feelings, patience, and compromise.
With minimal text and a strong visual appeal, Train! is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers especially those who love anything with wheels. A cute and colorful story with a gentle message about sharing and friendship.
March 29, 2022
This book is about a bunch of animal kids fighting over their favorite toys. It’s probably meant for preschool and younger- my 6 year old wasn’t very interested (it could also be that she doesn’t care about trains, planes, cars or diggers). It’s not very fun to read out-loud as your basically just reading those words over and over as they argue. Could be beneficial to learning some sight words. Cute illustrations.
March 21, 2018
Cute book where little elephant loves trains. He goes on a ride on one and meets others. They want to play car and plane and even digger, but elephant wants to play train. He throws a tantrum. They go through a tunnel and on the other side, all the toys are mixed up. He discovers planes can be fun too. And the best word he learned that day was Friends.
November 3, 2019
A cute picture book about a little elephant who only says train- a linguistic phase that most parents are familiar with. As little elephant meets other children on his very exciting train trip he has to learn how to embrace differences. The dialogue format can be a bit challenging to read for those of us that struggle with character voices.
March 16, 2021
Little Elephant only likes trains, so when Mama Elephant and Papa Elephant take Little Elephant on a real train, they think Little Elephant will be ecstatic. But instead, Little Elephant and a few other little ones argue about the best type of toy (train, plane, car, or digger). In the end, they realize that they can all play together, regardless of what type of toy they have.
July 1, 2017
Talk about a new favorite book!! My little guy loves trains, as in with capital L-O-V-E!! So this book is a good way to actually introduce to him the actual word and also the idea that other toys may be just as good as his beloved train.
January 22, 2022
Kiddo is obsessed with things that go. And elephants. So I thought this would be an automatic in.
Nope.
It's got some cleverness. But the characters aren't that likeable for the adult reader. Especially when you have one of those kids. Maybe the little will like it better in 6 months.
Nope.
It's got some cleverness. But the characters aren't that likeable for the adult reader. Especially when you have one of those kids. Maybe the little will like it better in 6 months.
November 13, 2025
Little Elephant loves trains. It's the only word he likes to say. When he gets to ride on a real train, he wants to play trains with others, but everyone has their own favorite toy. When they all get mixed up, what will all of the little animals do? An accurate toddler depiction.
November 6, 2017
Love love love this board book! So cute!
April 13, 2018
Very quick read. Good message for young readers.
September 27, 2018
Cute, rhythmic picture book.
May 2, 2019
Elephant only likes trains, but his friends like other things. Can he learn to enjoy the things his friends enjoy?
May 31, 2019
Cute illustrations but the text is overly simplistic.
September 17, 2021
A cute book about a baby elephant whose only word is his favorite thing: “train!” But when his friends insist on playing with their own favorite toys, he has a terrible train tantrum
January 12, 2022
A cute book about playing well with other children. A train loving child would really love this book.
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September 19, 2022I think this is a perfect book for younger students who struggle to try new things. This book explores how trying new things can lead to new friends and new ways to have fun.
December 5, 2022
The great train vs plane debate.
November 11, 2023
My son laughed every time I pointed and shouted whatever the kids were shouting in the book
January 11, 2024
It feels like part of it is missing? Little Elephant is excited because his parents took him on a real train until his friend wanted to play planes instead?
October 7, 2025
A little elephant with a train obsession learns some flexibility when he meets some other youngsters who have their own intense interests.
August 18, 2017
This is a cute story about friendship and compromise.
July 14, 2015
Kids nowadays have far too many toys to play with; whilst I had to make do with a piece of string tied around a rock, today’s youth have rooms filled with more plastic contraptions than an aging Hollywood Starlet’s cheeks. Even with all this stuff at hand most parents will tell you that their child will still gravitate to a few of their favourite things, ignoring a lot of the other offerings available. Perhaps they have a toy train that they are obsessed by? Train!
Little Elephant loves trains, to the point that we wears a t-shirt that states just this fact and takes a toy train with him everywhere he goes. His mother and father try to engage him in conversation, but all they get in reply is, “Train!” All is well for Little Elephant, until he meets some other small children who have other ideas; “Digger!” “Plane!” What will happen when Little Elephant is introduced to new concepts?
‘‘Train!’’ is a book aimed at the earlier reader market; a step up from your ABCs, but not for those introduced to the full world of narration. For a 6 month to 3 year old, there is a lot of great fun to be had in Judi Abbot’s book. The story is very simple, but packed with great ideas. A child becoming obsessed with a toy is not unusual, nor is them coming across other children who have their own ideas. Abbot is able to introduce the concepts of sharing, friendship and trying something new; all wrapped up in a wonderfully cheerful package.
The writing is pleasantly rhythmic for a book with relatively few words. As you are introduced to more toys the wording gets a little more complex; train, train, plane, plane, digger, digger. It is a very joyful experience reading along towards the end as you have to wrap your mouth around what are basically fun tongue twisters that make perfect sense within the story.
A great story is not always enough to make a book standout, especially in the crowded children’s market, but Abbot has seen to this by also having some wonderful illustrations. The pages are packed with colourful and simple imagery. The animals and toys are easy to distinguish, and there is lots to look for and find around the page. Adding even further to the book is the design of the item itself. The version I read was a smaller hardback that fitted wonderfully into the hand and had chunky well-made pages. This is a book built to last.
All the elements of ‘Train!’ have been very well thought through by Abbot as a book designed for a specific age group – 6 months to around 3 years old. It is easy to follow, bright, but also great fun to read. You will enjoy the twisting and turning fun first, but after a few months, watch as your child joins in to great effect. This is one book that will be well read in my household. Original review on bookbag.co.uk
Little Elephant loves trains, to the point that we wears a t-shirt that states just this fact and takes a toy train with him everywhere he goes. His mother and father try to engage him in conversation, but all they get in reply is, “Train!” All is well for Little Elephant, until he meets some other small children who have other ideas; “Digger!” “Plane!” What will happen when Little Elephant is introduced to new concepts?
‘‘Train!’’ is a book aimed at the earlier reader market; a step up from your ABCs, but not for those introduced to the full world of narration. For a 6 month to 3 year old, there is a lot of great fun to be had in Judi Abbot’s book. The story is very simple, but packed with great ideas. A child becoming obsessed with a toy is not unusual, nor is them coming across other children who have their own ideas. Abbot is able to introduce the concepts of sharing, friendship and trying something new; all wrapped up in a wonderfully cheerful package.
The writing is pleasantly rhythmic for a book with relatively few words. As you are introduced to more toys the wording gets a little more complex; train, train, plane, plane, digger, digger. It is a very joyful experience reading along towards the end as you have to wrap your mouth around what are basically fun tongue twisters that make perfect sense within the story.
A great story is not always enough to make a book standout, especially in the crowded children’s market, but Abbot has seen to this by also having some wonderful illustrations. The pages are packed with colourful and simple imagery. The animals and toys are easy to distinguish, and there is lots to look for and find around the page. Adding even further to the book is the design of the item itself. The version I read was a smaller hardback that fitted wonderfully into the hand and had chunky well-made pages. This is a book built to last.
All the elements of ‘Train!’ have been very well thought through by Abbot as a book designed for a specific age group – 6 months to around 3 years old. It is easy to follow, bright, but also great fun to read. You will enjoy the twisting and turning fun first, but after a few months, watch as your child joins in to great effect. This is one book that will be well read in my household. Original review on bookbag.co.uk
January 21, 2016
Train!
Judi Abbot
First Review
According to School Library Journal, this story is about a little Elephant and his favorite toy train! However, other peers would rather play with other toys like planes, cars, and diggers. Can the little Elephant learn to play with other toys? Abbot uses lovely pictures and illustrations to show the characters emotions. Many kids will be able to relate to this story about a favorite toy!
APA Citation
Callegari, C. (2014, November 1). [Review of the book Train! by J. Abbot]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
Second Review
According to Kirkus, this selection is excellent work by Abbott and great for a read aloud! The bright pictures are simple, but they will get the readers attention. Little Elephant loves trains and is able to ride a real one. It turns out to be a surprising ride! Can Little Elephant make new friends?
APA Citation (Unknown Author)
(2014, June 1). [Review of the book Train! by J. Abbott]. Kirkus. Retrieved from the NoveList Plus database.
My Review
I really enjoyed this book and I think kids will love it too! I thought the illustrations were very colorful and and even though they were simple they showed a lot of detail. For example the characters facial expressions and emotions. The book also has a great message about trying new things out. You might enjoy it and have fun!
Judi Abbot
First Review
According to School Library Journal, this story is about a little Elephant and his favorite toy train! However, other peers would rather play with other toys like planes, cars, and diggers. Can the little Elephant learn to play with other toys? Abbot uses lovely pictures and illustrations to show the characters emotions. Many kids will be able to relate to this story about a favorite toy!
APA Citation
Callegari, C. (2014, November 1). [Review of the book Train! by J. Abbot]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from NoveList Plus database.
Second Review
According to Kirkus, this selection is excellent work by Abbott and great for a read aloud! The bright pictures are simple, but they will get the readers attention. Little Elephant loves trains and is able to ride a real one. It turns out to be a surprising ride! Can Little Elephant make new friends?
APA Citation (Unknown Author)
(2014, June 1). [Review of the book Train! by J. Abbott]. Kirkus. Retrieved from the NoveList Plus database.
My Review
I really enjoyed this book and I think kids will love it too! I thought the illustrations were very colorful and and even though they were simple they showed a lot of detail. For example the characters facial expressions and emotions. The book also has a great message about trying new things out. You might enjoy it and have fun!
March 9, 2015
Little Elephant loves trains, and Sophie loves Little Elephant!
This book is absolutely perfect for us, as Sophie normally reads in German,
I often speak with her in Polish, and here, with the same words often repeated,
it's the best way to introduce her to English.
She absolutely enjoys when I read this book to her, and I personally enjoy it too,
this music of the words, the rhytmic sections make this little book so brilliant.
Also, she can look at the illustrations for hours, as they are so colourful
and not too exaggerated, just right for children aged 3.
If I were to measure a popularity of the book through Sophie's eyes, I would
say this one is at the very top. Well, it always travels with us in the car and
I can hear Sophie chanting "Train - plane - digger - digger! Train - plane -
digger - digger!".
An absolute little gem of a book, wonderfully printed and should live on long,
even in little children's hands.
This book is absolutely perfect for us, as Sophie normally reads in German,
I often speak with her in Polish, and here, with the same words often repeated,
it's the best way to introduce her to English.
She absolutely enjoys when I read this book to her, and I personally enjoy it too,
this music of the words, the rhytmic sections make this little book so brilliant.
Also, she can look at the illustrations for hours, as they are so colourful
and not too exaggerated, just right for children aged 3.
If I were to measure a popularity of the book through Sophie's eyes, I would
say this one is at the very top. Well, it always travels with us in the car and
I can hear Sophie chanting "Train - plane - digger - digger! Train - plane -
digger - digger!".
An absolute little gem of a book, wonderfully printed and should live on long,
even in little children's hands.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews