I've Been Working on the Railroad: An American Classic

by Nadine Bernard Westcott

An illustrated presentation of the familiar folk song about railroad life.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Nadine Bernard Westcott is the illustrator of many popular books for children, including Mrs. McNosh Hangs Up Her Wash and Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash, as well as the author and illustator of The Lady With The Alligator Purse. She used to spend many hours chasing after her dog, who would come home only when ready and not a minute sooner. Ms. Westcott lives on Nantucket with her husband, Bill.

Reviews

[Jessica Blonder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
Nadine Bernard Westcott
No Awards
Grades: Pre-k- 1st
Summary: It’s about waking up early in the morning and working on putting down railroad tracks for the transcontinental railroad.
Review: The book is mainly drawn in watercolors, making the pictures bright and pleasing. The song is catchy, more a passing the time song.
Activities in the classroom:
Identify different types of vehicles
Have the students stand on the rug and sing the song while doing “railroad movements” (Hammering stakes into the ground, blowing the whistle, laying down tracks.)
Hook letters together (on train cars) to make a train. Make sure to point out which letters are the engine and which are the caboose

[Whitney Leanhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be wonderful to read in a classroom setting because of the involvement it would bring. The students could sing along with the book and learn all about what to expect on the Railroad. I found this book really fun and easy to follow along to.

[Mackenzie Guthrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this song, 10/10 could and did sing along to the lyrics.

What is this world the characters are in?? There are like (2) kids in a world entirely of anthropomorphic animals and I’m a lil concerned.

[Orion Kopf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun illustrations to a classic song

[Alexandria Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very wonderful take on the classic lullaby, great illustrations.

[Rainbow Room TOL]

Shelved w/Rhymes

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I 19ve Been Working on the Railroad is an American classic with much word repetition and sings of working and traveling on the railroad.

Nadine Bernard Westcott brings more detail to a song with much repetition. The illustrations are lively and vibrant, and the words are simple and repetitive making it simple enough for young children to learn.

Grade Level: Pre-K- 2nd Grade
Classroom uses: there are many vowel sounds throughout the songs which could create a fun phonics game to play in the classroom.

[Findlay Pennekamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, I love this book! So many things to look at and ask about and I just want to read it over and over and over again... but the weird thing is, my parents don't! They keep saying things like, "It's awkward because I don't know whether to read it or sing it," "This song just doesn't make sense," and "Yes, that's a cow. That's also a cow. That's another cow. Cow. Another Cow. Where's my beer again?"

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that this book is also a song. Nakyla likes to sit at the piano with this book and play the keys while she sings. I just wish the illustrations were better.

[~~*Julie Kawalec-pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son loves trains... the pictures are cute but my singing was not! It was a fun read with him.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This classic song is enhanced by Nadine Bernard Westcott's illustrations...this is a gimme for Boogie Woogie Books, a crowd favorite.

[Nerissa Lindauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great poetry book. It has a fun tune to it. Kids can enjoy reading or singing along because it's also a song. It has great repetition for young readers to enjoy.

[Amanda Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old song, but good for children to learn. Cute song to work with. It also has good illustrations.

[Melissa Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be great for a first or second grade class. To get in a line and dance around the class like a train and sing the Song and then have them read it.