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Sleep Train
A perfectly pitched bedtime story and counting book for sleepy train lovers, illustrated in dramatic 3D sculptures!
A little boy climbs into bed with a book and starts counting the train cars in it, between the engine and caboose. "Ten sleepy cars going clickety-clack," reads the refrain. But as the boy counts cars and gets sleepier and sleepier, his room looks more and more like one of the train cars from his book--the sleeping car, of course!
Rhythmically told by the author of the Froggy books, Sleep Train is also stunning to look at. 3D illustrator, Lauren Eldridge, has sculpted an entire train full of intricate details. Part bedtime story, part counting book, part children's fantasy, Sleep Train is a magical ride to dreamland.
A little boy climbs into bed with a book and starts counting the train cars in it, between the engine and caboose. "Ten sleepy cars going clickety-clack," reads the refrain. But as the boy counts cars and gets sleepier and sleepier, his room looks more and more like one of the train cars from his book--the sleeping car, of course!
Rhythmically told by the author of the Froggy books, Sleep Train is also stunning to look at. 3D illustrator, Lauren Eldridge, has sculpted an entire train full of intricate details. Part bedtime story, part counting book, part children's fantasy, Sleep Train is a magical ride to dreamland.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
6 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan London
191 books195 followersJonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 30, 2020
Reread this book, but this time I read for my 15 months old. It’s a cute book. I recommend it. There are names of different parts of the train.
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I started reading Sleep Train for my 6 years old son as a bedtime story on 4/21/18 and we finished it that same night. This book is gorgeous! I love LOVE the illustrations! My son loves the names of each car. We both tried to memorize it so we would know what each of them is called. I love the night sceneries, especially with the full moon. I love the sleeping car with a child reading sleep train book by the window overlooking the starry night.
In this book, readers will follow a running train as it “jiggling down the track” making the “clickety-clack” sounds. Each car is introduced by name and location. The first car is labeled number 1 and it’s located right behind the engine car and on until 10, the last car before the final caboose. The illustrations are of night views with sunset colors orange, pink, purple, blue, etc. The trains are positioned in many different ways. It rides over a bridge and through a farm where the cows are standing. It parks under the starry night and it whistles around a pond. A little boy inside a sleeping car counting the 10 sleepy cars again and again until he yawns and his eye lids grow heavy. This book is told in a rhyming way.
An excellent book, Sleep Train is a go-to story for kids! It’s almost like counting sheep but in this case the kids are counting train cars. This book also gives children the opportunity to name the cars in connection to the location of the train. The first car after the engine is called the tender, the second one is called the boxcar, and the third is called the tank car, and so on to the tenth before the tail end which is called the caboose. I love the challenge of counting and naming trains in order over the mundane way of counting sheeps. I highly recommend this book for everyone! Learn the names, count the trains, or just gaze at the 3D illustrations. It’s all worth it to pick up this book soon.
Pro: names of each train, counting, bedtime, illustrations, transportation, cover, rhyming words
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
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I started reading Sleep Train for my 6 years old son as a bedtime story on 4/21/18 and we finished it that same night. This book is gorgeous! I love LOVE the illustrations! My son loves the names of each car. We both tried to memorize it so we would know what each of them is called. I love the night sceneries, especially with the full moon. I love the sleeping car with a child reading sleep train book by the window overlooking the starry night.
In this book, readers will follow a running train as it “jiggling down the track” making the “clickety-clack” sounds. Each car is introduced by name and location. The first car is labeled number 1 and it’s located right behind the engine car and on until 10, the last car before the final caboose. The illustrations are of night views with sunset colors orange, pink, purple, blue, etc. The trains are positioned in many different ways. It rides over a bridge and through a farm where the cows are standing. It parks under the starry night and it whistles around a pond. A little boy inside a sleeping car counting the 10 sleepy cars again and again until he yawns and his eye lids grow heavy. This book is told in a rhyming way.
An excellent book, Sleep Train is a go-to story for kids! It’s almost like counting sheep but in this case the kids are counting train cars. This book also gives children the opportunity to name the cars in connection to the location of the train. The first car after the engine is called the tender, the second one is called the boxcar, and the third is called the tank car, and so on to the tenth before the tail end which is called the caboose. I love the challenge of counting and naming trains in order over the mundane way of counting sheeps. I highly recommend this book for everyone! Learn the names, count the trains, or just gaze at the 3D illustrations. It’s all worth it to pick up this book soon.
Pro: names of each train, counting, bedtime, illustrations, transportation, cover, rhyming words
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
April 13, 2018
What is UP with all these 5 star reviews?! Did we look at the same book? All these people raving about the beautiful illustrations? WHAT? Any "beautiful" illustration there might be has been done TEN times better in Rinker's Sleep Train, Dream Train (hey, even London's title feels like a rip-off of that and a poorly done one).
THE BOY IN THE ILLUSTRATIONS IS CREEPY. There. I said it.
The rhyming is jumpy and jumbled and all over the place and sometimes it disappears all together. Blargh. Bad rhyming. Bad.
THE BOY IN THE ILLUSTRATIONS IS CREEPY. There. I said it.
The rhyming is jumpy and jumbled and all over the place and sometimes it disappears all together. Blargh. Bad rhyming. Bad.
May 22, 2018
3.5 stars
Working with toddlers as I do, books abut trains catch my eye since toddlers tend to be obsessed with trains. I recognized London's name from the Froggy, and Duck and Hippo, books and knew I wanted to read this book. While the Froggy books are funny, "Sleep Train" is sweet, gentle, and aimed at slightly younger children, two years to five years.
"Sleep Train' has absolutely gorgeous artwork, just spectacular, particularly the colors. I did find that some of the pages were dark and the details hard to read when reading the book to a class of two year olds. It would work better read up close with one or two children.
The counting was a little off as London counted only train cars, ten of them, excluding the engine and caboose from the count, which is confusing for the younger children, and disrupts the counting process. The rhyming is off in a few places but overall the text is rhythmic and soothing, perfect for a naptime or bedtime story.
The boy in the book appears to be non-white, possibly African American. Given the nighttime setting and dark colors, it's hard to be sure, but it seems likely, and it's nice to see a non-white character in a children's book.
"Sleep Train" was charming and the class sat enthralled as I read it. Whether you want it for sleep time or a child who likes train, this would be a good addition to your library.
Working with toddlers as I do, books abut trains catch my eye since toddlers tend to be obsessed with trains. I recognized London's name from the Froggy, and Duck and Hippo, books and knew I wanted to read this book. While the Froggy books are funny, "Sleep Train" is sweet, gentle, and aimed at slightly younger children, two years to five years.
"Sleep Train' has absolutely gorgeous artwork, just spectacular, particularly the colors. I did find that some of the pages were dark and the details hard to read when reading the book to a class of two year olds. It would work better read up close with one or two children.
The counting was a little off as London counted only train cars, ten of them, excluding the engine and caboose from the count, which is confusing for the younger children, and disrupts the counting process. The rhyming is off in a few places but overall the text is rhythmic and soothing, perfect for a naptime or bedtime story.
The boy in the book appears to be non-white, possibly African American. Given the nighttime setting and dark colors, it's hard to be sure, but it seems likely, and it's nice to see a non-white character in a children's book.
"Sleep Train" was charming and the class sat enthralled as I read it. Whether you want it for sleep time or a child who likes train, this would be a good addition to your library.
April 10, 2018
This book is going in my list of favorites to gift to all the young readers I know!
This book solidifies Lauren Eldridge as being one of the most talented illustrators! Beautiful work.
This book solidifies Lauren Eldridge as being one of the most talented illustrators! Beautiful work.
July 13, 2018
I like the rhyming and the sleepy feel of the book. But I can’t decide if the intended audience would get the vocabulary included (the names of different type of train cars) or not. I guess the counting makes me think this book is for a real young audience.
The clay medium works well for the train but the people (and cows) end up looking a both creepy.
The clay medium works well for the train but the people (and cows) end up looking a both creepy.
March 16, 2018
Counting train cars lulls a young boy to sleep at twilight. A book that is bound to make droopy lids of even the most resistant of sleepers.
Read
June 2, 2018Lauren Eldridge's illustrations are totally enveloping but — WOW — there's no way they will put you to sleep. :)
August 30, 2024
This poor kid is actually kind of creepy
May 14, 2019
What a lovely book! Beautifully written, educational and just amazing illustrations!
October 20, 2020
This story is so lovely. I love the gentle rhyme of the lines, very slow and lulling. I love the subtle reinforcement in counting. I also did not expect to learn anything going into this story, but now I know all the different types of train cars and their proper names. A small detail, but one that I appreciate.
The gem of this story is the illustration. They're all overwhelmingly blue and deep, enriched with purples and yellows that make the pages glow warmly like an actual training on a dark night. The nighttime environments were very beautiful and something any child could get lost in.
The gem of this story is the illustration. They're all overwhelmingly blue and deep, enriched with purples and yellows that make the pages glow warmly like an actual training on a dark night. The nighttime environments were very beautiful and something any child could get lost in.
July 31, 2018
The text has a great rhythm when you read it. Train lovers could read this book again and again.
July 8, 2018
Superb read-together bedtime book for my two-year-old grandson, who has just gotten hooked on trains, but also has toddler difficulty settling down to sleep at night. I had misgivings about it - it's just counting a ten-car train, several times, and the pictures, while gorgeous, are rather dark, but the customer's always right, right? and grandson LOVES it. It's a current favorite, even not at bedtime.
A million extra points for take-it-for-granted diversity - the little boy counting train cars instead of sheep happens to be dark-skinned and it's just there.
Lots to see in the pictures too. Deservedly a Caldecott Honor Award winner. Probably good for any pre-K kid.
A million extra points for take-it-for-granted diversity - the little boy counting train cars instead of sheep happens to be dark-skinned and it's just there.
Lots to see in the pictures too. Deservedly a Caldecott Honor Award winner. Probably good for any pre-K kid.
July 10, 2018
The artwork in this book is very compelling. Some of it seems to be painting blended seamlessly with photography of 3D art. I enjoyed studying the pictures.
The book itself is a very good bed-time book. It definitely has a sweet, sleepy cadence when read aloud.
The book itself is a very good bed-time book. It definitely has a sweet, sleepy cadence when read aloud.
July 1, 2018
'Sleep Train' by Jonathan London, illustrated by Lauren Eldridge, is a sweet bedtime story for lovers of rhythm, counting, and the way noises caress you to sleep. The boy in the story is trying to read a book while in bed, and finds himself counting the train cars and lulling himself into a sleepy state. The illustrations help to bring further depth to the book and increase the emotion one might feel while trying to enjoy something, yet feeling the pull of something else (in this case, sleep).
The setting of a darkened night during which the train is passing through is the perfect backdrop against which the boy can count and enjoy the view from his sleeping car. Join countless others who have always dreamed of an escape into the night like 'Sleep Train' provides, bringing further interest to the fun of counting and enjoying time doing something one loves.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
The setting of a darkened night during which the train is passing through is the perfect backdrop against which the boy can count and enjoy the view from his sleeping car. Join countless others who have always dreamed of an escape into the night like 'Sleep Train' provides, bringing further interest to the fun of counting and enjoying time doing something one loves.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
July 5, 2018
Stunning illustrations that teach a little about trains. Kids can also practice counting to 10.
June 29, 2018
I would have given it a 5, but that claymation kid was seriously creepy. Barring that, the story itself is charming! I think it would make a lovely bedtime story for a little one. The train illustrations look computer generate and tend to be blurred, but not too awful. I doubt kids would really notice. The trains themselves are pretty cool, so a young train enthusiast should enjoy the story very much.
Did anyone notice the book the child is reading is the book itself? That's kind of fun!
Did anyone notice the book the child is reading is the book itself? That's kind of fun!
April 17, 2018
London, Jonathan Sleep Train, illustrated by Lauren Eldridge. PICTURE BOOK. Viking, 2018. $18. 9780451473035.
As night falls, a train is quietly running down the tracks. A young boy is headed to sleep and instead of counting sheep he counts the ten railroad cars. Each car is unique and as they chug along, he slowly falls to sleep.
This is a unique picture book--the text is in verse and the illustrations were created three-dimensionally and photographed. As such, the pictures are really interesting and impressive. I love the blue color scheme to the book--its very soothing and calming as any good bedtime read should be. The text has a serene rhythm to it and my son absolutely loves having this one for bedtime. Overall its a unique and solid choice for train lovers.
Pre-K, EL(K-3) - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
As night falls, a train is quietly running down the tracks. A young boy is headed to sleep and instead of counting sheep he counts the ten railroad cars. Each car is unique and as they chug along, he slowly falls to sleep.
This is a unique picture book--the text is in verse and the illustrations were created three-dimensionally and photographed. As such, the pictures are really interesting and impressive. I love the blue color scheme to the book--its very soothing and calming as any good bedtime read should be. The text has a serene rhythm to it and my son absolutely loves having this one for bedtime. Overall its a unique and solid choice for train lovers.
Pre-K, EL(K-3) - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
July 15, 2025
A children's book about a train, for my train-obsessed child, that I actually like?! Yes, please!
This is a lovely bedtime story. Is the rhyming a bit off in a few places? Yes. But overall the text is rhythmic, soothing, and has nice onomatomia like 'clickity clack' and cows going moo moo when the train goes choo choo. There's a pleasant idea of counting the train cars a couple times instead of sheep, and even an introduction of some more advanced vocabulary for the different types of train car. Moreover, the illustration (created through sculpted 3d models*) was unique, well-executed, and charming. Best of all - knock on wood - I don't think I'll get sick of reading this one on repeat for a few nights, as I expect will be requested.
* Curious, I looked up more information on the illustration technique. I found a good article here: https://www.readbrightly.com/meet-ill....
This is a lovely bedtime story. Is the rhyming a bit off in a few places? Yes. But overall the text is rhythmic, soothing, and has nice onomatomia like 'clickity clack' and cows going moo moo when the train goes choo choo. There's a pleasant idea of counting the train cars a couple times instead of sheep, and even an introduction of some more advanced vocabulary for the different types of train car. Moreover, the illustration (created through sculpted 3d models*) was unique, well-executed, and charming. Best of all - knock on wood - I don't think I'll get sick of reading this one on repeat for a few nights, as I expect will be requested.
* Curious, I looked up more information on the illustration technique. I found a good article here: https://www.readbrightly.com/meet-ill....
May 10, 2018
All on board! While on a train, a small boy is struggling to fall asleep. He decides to count the train cars to help him fall asleep. As he counts the trains, he feels himself drifting slowly into dreamland.
The tots I volunteer with enjoyed learning about the different train cars. They loved counting along with the child in the story. We enjoyed the gorgeously detailed 3D illustrations in this book as well. It was fun and entertaining read especially the rhyming parts.
Engagement Activities -
1. How many rhyme pairs can you come up with in one minute?
2. If you can go anywhere in the world by train, where would you go? And why?
3. What is your favorite part of a train?
4. What is your bedtime ritual?
5. Where do you think the train is going?
6. What do you do when you can't fall asleep?
The tots I volunteer with enjoyed learning about the different train cars. They loved counting along with the child in the story. We enjoyed the gorgeously detailed 3D illustrations in this book as well. It was fun and entertaining read especially the rhyming parts.
Engagement Activities -
1. How many rhyme pairs can you come up with in one minute?
2. If you can go anywhere in the world by train, where would you go? And why?
3. What is your favorite part of a train?
4. What is your bedtime ritual?
5. Where do you think the train is going?
6. What do you do when you can't fall asleep?
May 6, 2018
Like a beloved lullaby there are favorite bedtime books. The combination of words and illustrations sing to a sleepy soul. Each phrase is a melody gently wrapping around the reader or listener. These books are as important to a good night's sleep as a fluffed pillow, a cuddly stuffed toy or a soft blanket.
If you walk into a bedroom, next to the bed on a shelf or nightstand, they will be stacked in a place of honor. Sleep Train (Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, April 3, 2018) written by Jonathan London with illustrations by Lauren Eldridge is one of those special titles. As an engine pulls the cars down the track, a reader begins a ritual sure to lead to slumber.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
If you walk into a bedroom, next to the bed on a shelf or nightstand, they will be stacked in a place of honor. Sleep Train (Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, April 3, 2018) written by Jonathan London with illustrations by Lauren Eldridge is one of those special titles. As an engine pulls the cars down the track, a reader begins a ritual sure to lead to slumber.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
June 25, 2018
Oof. Rhyming books also need to have meter. This one didn't work for me at all. Too bad, because lots of kids love trains, and the idea of counting the cars is a good one. Extra star for the illustrations. Even though the kid does have a creepy head.
April 23, 2018
Everyone jump upon the Sleep Train
Come on now, Sleep Train
Get your bags together,
Go bring your good friends, too
'Cause it's getting nearer,
It soon will be with you...
-with apologies to Cat Stevens
A train slowly chugs along in the moonlight in this gentle, nodding book. The illustrations, featuring real photos of a model "Sleep Train" and its yawning child passenger, are a lot of fun to look at. The point of the book is obviously to lull a child to sleep.
Veg*n parents note: The Sleep Train includes a cattle car, which may make for some not-so-calming discussion.
Come on now, Sleep Train
Get your bags together,
Go bring your good friends, too
'Cause it's getting nearer,
It soon will be with you...
-with apologies to Cat Stevens
A train slowly chugs along in the moonlight in this gentle, nodding book. The illustrations, featuring real photos of a model "Sleep Train" and its yawning child passenger, are a lot of fun to look at. The point of the book is obviously to lull a child to sleep.
Veg*n parents note: The Sleep Train includes a cattle car, which may make for some not-so-calming discussion.
May 9, 2018
This is a really beautifully illustrated counting/bedtime book. The boy is riding a train and is settling down to sleep in his sleeper car and counts the cars of his train. I liked this because I love trains and the rhythmic words work really well at lulling you into relaxation. Plus, the book shows you the actual names of the different types of cars you might see in a train (tanker, locomotive, hopper, dining car, etc.)
May 12, 2018
Using closeup photography of real model trains and trainset environments, 3D illustrator Lauren Eldridge creates intricately detailed full-page panoramas, including the inside of the sleep car where a drowsy child is in bed reading Sleep Train. Steam train loving toddlers and preschoolers will love counting the ten different train cars and exploring this imaginative miniature world while the soothing rhythm of Jonathan London’s read-aloud rhyming text helps them drift off to sleep. Reviewer 5
April 22, 2018
A simple bed time book with illustrations that are out of this world! Lauren Eldridge has a process like no other. She creates models and then photographs the scenes for each page. I loved pouring over each page and looking at the details. Absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to share with my students who enjoyed Claymates.
May 29, 2018
It feels a bit too much like Donald Crews' Freight Train while not being quite enough like it.
This may still appeal to a train obsessed kid who has already obligated you to reading Freight Train 100 times. As an additional train book that doesn't feature cartoon faces, I can see how it could fill a niche.
This may still appeal to a train obsessed kid who has already obligated you to reading Freight Train 100 times. As an additional train book that doesn't feature cartoon faces, I can see how it could fill a niche.
May 8, 2018
I never really thought how each train car of a train might have a different name or use until reading this book and the little boy tells you each car as he counts them to go to sleep.
Storytime Theme: Sleep
Storytime Theme: Sleep
April 14, 2018
Beautiful illustrations by Lauren Eldridge accompany the words by Jonathan London in a sweet sleepy book for kids that enjoy trains. It would make a nice addition to Polar Express but readers don't need to wait for a holiday.
April 22, 2018
I love this beautiful but simple story that begs to be read aloud and shared all about a sleepy train with ten cars to count which their names are introduced too! It will lull your little ones to sleep too! Perfect companion to the Book Freight Train by Donald Crews!
May 1, 2018
The perfect lullaby for little guys and girls! For a change, count trains instead of sheep! The illustrations are terrific for train lovers to enjoy time and time again, before they fall asleep! A wonderful counting book to ten, too!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews