Trains

by Lynn Curlee

There are few things more exciting than the sound of a train chugging through the country-side. First, steam engines hissed billowing clouds into the air, then gleaming diesel locomotives pulled boxcars, freight cars, and sleek passenger cars north, south, east, and west. Trains have been getting people and things to where they need to go for almost two centuries, and have long been a symbol of adventure and possibility.

The story of how trains began barreling across the landscape is one of new machines, new inventions, new jobs, and new hopes. Railroad travel started with steam-powered wagons on a tramway and developed into a technology that would change the day-to-day life of Americans in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries -- and forever connect one coast to another.

This bold and graphic look at trains and railroads by award-winning author and illustrator Lynn Curlee traces the tracks back to where they began. All aboard!

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

48 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2009

Reviews

[midnightfaerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Under the guise of a children's book, this book spent way too little time on the illustrations and overdid it on the verbiage. Way too long even for a level 4 reader, it read's more as an older child's book or even an adult informational book. It tricked me online, convincing me by the cover that it might be suitable for my preschoolers. Alas, they spent less than 30 seconds looking at the pictures, then were disinterested. Not worth our time.

[Duane · Rating 1 out of 5]

To begin with, the author does a big injustice by making the history of trains in our country very "perfect". They fail to mention the toil and hardships that some people endured as the railroad rolled over their land. The illustrations are nice, but overall, there are better books for train lovers or anyone wanting to introduce kids to the world of trains.

[Alexis Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through illustrated diagrams, Trains takes readers through the history of locomotives. This book is great for science classrooms because Students examine the impact of scientific and technological advances on the development of the United States through this book and similar books. This book can excite students interested in transportation and diagrams while also providing a history of trains and their dramatic impact in the USA.

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

not recommended

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it looks like a picture book, it reads more like a chapter book. The book is informative, but better suited for older children.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Curlee's books are well-written. Railroads are a huge part of history, and I enjoyed this concise summary.

[Jennifer Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for kiddos obsessed with trains. However, it has a too many words (3-5 lengthy paragraphs on each page) and not enough pictures for a toddler. We usually just read the paragraph related to the picture since our toddler wouldn't sit through more than a paragraph or two per page. Now that the toddler is moving on to school, we have begun reading more of the text. It depends on the day whether he's interested in the lengthier text. The book does have a lot of wonderful information, and the pictures are fun to look at. I like that it is a book that can grow with my child.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title has great illustrations (no photos) with detailed narrative telling the history of trains in the United States. Contains a diagram showing how steam engines work. Despite being way above preschool level, the kids enjoyed the book.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly comprehensive history of trains, with a focus on North America. I appreciate the way the narrative is not interrupted by fact boxes or diagrams; the illustrations complement rather than distracting from the text. Excellent for upper elementary.

[TG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative picture book

[Fiona Endsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book for little folks who like trains in that it tied the story of the railroads to the larger story of American history. It is also very impressively illustrated.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it 4 stars because I'm not that "into" trains, but for 5th graders that are, this is a great book. It will also work with our SS unit on History.

[Jenn Library]

385.09

[Megen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good kid-friendly text about the invention of trains through a story.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent informational book for children on trains.