Trains

Inside Vehicles

by Ian Graham, Stephen Biesty (Illustrations)

See inside eight amazing trains with the master of cross sections, Stephen Biesty.

The best-selling, award-winning king of the cross section presents a selection of well-loved trains in this fact-filled lift-the-flap book. Look inside one of the first steam trains, a high-speed train of the future, and more to find out their inner workings. Stephen Biesty brings his fantastic immersive artwork to a younger age group in this interactive title with more than forty flaps to lift.

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

16 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2017

About the author

After working as an in-house journalist and editor in consumer electronics magazines, Ian Graham became a freelance writer. He has written more than 230 illustrated non-fiction books for children and teens, and contributed chapters to books including Dorling Kindersley’s Know it All and Big Ideas that Changed the World. He has a degree in applied physics and a postgraduate diploma in journalism.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: The modern age of rail transport began in the early 1800s, when the first steam trains were built. The part of a train that pulls the cars is called the locomotive or engine. The locomotive shown here is called Patentee. Built in 1833 by Robert Stephenson, it was one of the first really successful locomotives. Many Patentees were built to pull trains in Britain, and the design was exported to other countries.


Premise/plot: Don't be fooled by the fact that it's an oversized board book with flaps to lift, this one is for older children. This book might be the wordiest sixteen page book I've ever come across. It features cross sections of eight trains: early steam trains, American steam trains, the golden age of steam, diesel replaces steam, electric trains, heavy-duty diesel trains, high speed trains, and trains of the future. Each two-page spread is packed--and I do mean PACKED--with information.


My thoughts: There is a lot of information to process in this book. I did not read it cover-to-cover and lift every flap. I'm not personally *that* interested in trains. I think there are people--of various ages--that are that interested in trains. I do think some people never out grow a love of trains. I could see this book growing with your child. Perhaps at first this is more of a book that you browse and skim, and then perhaps later one that you read every word.

[Thomas Andrikus · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I leaf through the pages of this fascinating children’s book about trains, I keep wondering to myself, “Why?? Why was the United States so innovative in developing trains in the 1800s but now has fallen behind European and East Asian countries???”

As of 2017, the only operational high-speed train in the United States is the Amtrak Acela Express, running from Boston to Washington D.C. with 14 stops in between. No other high-speed trains in other parts of the country, and no maglev train is currently operational in any parts of the United States.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Candlewick’s Templar Books imprint presents a transitional board book approach to the subject of trains for kids ages 5-8. There are 8 2-page spreads each featuring one train from history. Trains covered include the Early Steam Train, the American Steam Train, the Golden Age of Steam Trains, Diesel Trains, Electric Trains, Heavy Duty Diesel Trains, High Speed Trains, and Trains of the Future (MagLev).

Each spread has a small paragraph of text along with a detailed ink and color penciled illustrations and 1-4 flaps that lift up to see inside that part of the train. There are detailed labels for features that need to be highlighted with lines drawn to the correct part. Early school age children who would like to graduate to a resource that more thoroughly explores the subject of trains other than picture or easy reading books will find this title offers hours of things to study and read. I would recommend this book for purchase by any public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Mr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cool for an older reader, does have flaps but not for toddler hands.