New Baby Train

by Woody Guthrie, Marla Frazee (Illustrator)

Wondering where babies come from, a young child is told that they arrive on the New Baby Train that travels its long tracks from destination to destination, picking up and delivering its precious bundles along the way.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry, Music, Trains

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie was an American songwriter and folk musician. Guthrie's musical legacy consists of hundreds of songs, ballads and improvised works covering topics from political themes to traditional songs to children's songs. Guthrie performed continually throughout his life with his guitar frequently displaying the slogan "This Machine Kills Fascists". Guthrie is perhaps best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land" which is regularly sung in American schools. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress.

Guthrie traveled with migrant workers from Oklahoma to California and learned traditional folk and blues songs. His songs are about his experiences in the Dust Bowl era during the Great Depression and are known as the "Dust Bowl Troubadour." Guthrie was associated with, but never a member of, Communist groups in the United States throughout his life.

Guthrie was married three times and fathered eight children, including American folk musician Arlo Guthrie. He is the grandfather of musician Sarah Lee Guthrie. Guthrie died from complications of the degenerative neurologic affliction known as Huntington's Disease. In spite of his illness, during his later years Guthrie served as a figurehead in the folk movement providing inspiration to a generation of new folk musicians, including mentor relationships with Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Bob Dylan.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really nice book that introduces young children to an American icon - beautiful illustrations.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are what make the book great. My kids and I had a lot of giggles over the cute babies riding the train, reading newspapers, carrying luggage, etc. And the end got a big "Awwwww!" from my little girls. Be ready to read this aloud with a bit of a country twang. :)

[Jim Erekson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the few Marla Frazee titles we have in UNC Reading Center's library, so I grabbed it for a look. One of the best reasons for taking this book to some kids is that the Woody Guthrie song has a read-along on youtube. The youtube video has some great information on this lost song, which Guthrie never recorded.

These are classic Frazee illustrations. Babies and other interesting figures all in one book. Sweeping landscapes with the Virginia-Lee-Burtonesque swoops and curved lines for my eyes to follow. Glad we had this in the collection!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Where do little babies really come from?" They arrive on the new baby train in these song lyrics by Woody Guthrie. Marla Frazee's pictures are so fun -- completely charming and appealing -- as she imagines babies boarding the train, tickets in hand, knapsack slung over shoulder; babies riding, some reading the newspaper, the conductor passing out bottles, and babies welcomed into the arms of loving families en route.

(Style of clouds and sky reminds me very much of All the World)

[Megan Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marla Frazee brings to life one of Woody Guthrie's famous songs, New Baby Train that answers the famous question, where do babies come from? Set in a country setting, Frazee's characters are represent multiple ethnics and genuine baby qualities. Her illustrations present movement and has a variety with the double page spreads, single page and a section of the page with a white background.

[Bottom Shelf Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://bottomshelfbooks.blogspot.com/...

[Jim]

the illos are great, the song only so-so.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Marla Frazee's wonderful gouache paintings of the babies and the train.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Woody Guthrie & Marla Frazee, this will be a new-to-you favorite!

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apparently this is a Woodie Guthrie song? I don't know it. Absolutely beautiful illustrations.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable telling about how babies come in all sorts of ways, maybe on a train. Woody's jangle-y way of telling a story is beautifully adorned by Marla Frazee's pictures. A gem.

[Dan Westenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for kids! The art work is exceptional. I love the folky feel. My daughter enjoyed it! We will read it a lot more I’m sure!!

[Chancela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids do get to the point when they start asking where babies come from, so this would be a book to pull out for those times. I didn't know this song, so it was difficult to get the rhythm of the writing. The illustrations were great though, typical style of Marla Frazee's work!, which I love!

[Elisabeth Ensor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute, not amazing. The babies riding the train were funny and the illustrations were great, I was hoping the book could be something I could add to my Oklahoma History curriculum!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, but the text/lyrics just didn't ring with me...so this book doesn't make the cut for my "new" year's story to share...

[Y.Poston]

cute

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a stupid book. It was really hard to understand. Don't read it.

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this book is so dumb! The whole premise of the book is ridculous.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some children wonder where babies come from, a boy decides they come from the baby train.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the illustrations but the story did not grab me. The blues and browns in that dominated the pictures fit well with the Appalchian motif.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd..

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this illustrator!!!