Monday, April 16, 2018

Bookmarks: Picture Books on Trains

All aboard? Get ready for a train adventure. My children love the sight and sounds of huge locomotives. This collection of books will delight and teach about a bygone era of transportation.

The Stourbridge Lion:America's First Locomotive by Karl Zimmermann, illustrated by Steven Walker
Some thought it looked funny and others thought it looked scary, but this little steam locomotive became America's first steam engine to run on rails in 1829.


Locomotive, written and illustrated by Brian Floca
You are invited to join a family traveling west on the newly completed transcontinental railroad. Listen to the lilt of the lines and watch the landscape flit by with realistic drawings in one of my all-time favorite children's books.

Aboard a Steam Locomotive, written and illustrated by Huck Scarry
Every train enthusiast will pore over the detailed pen-and-ink drawings of this book. The author visited steam trains around the world to piece together an account of the daily workings of a steam locomotive.


Steam, Smoke, and Steel: Back in Time with Trains, written and illustrated by Patrick O'Brien
Travel back through time and watch the developments in train engines through the years. Warm paintings follow the love of generations of train engineers.


Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell, illustrated by Ted Rand
A true story of a young girl who longed to visit her grandmother. When her parents did not have money for a train ticket, they came up with a creative solution. Rand's illustrations always add charm.


Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Max Ginsburg
When a terrible storm took out the railroad bridge in Iowa, fifteen-year-old Kate knew she had to go warn the next train. A true story of courage told with heart-warming details and rich paintings.


Train to Somewhere by Eve Bunting illustrated by Ronald Himler
Marianne, heading west on the Orphan Train, is certain she will find her mother. But when her hopes are dashed, will she be willing to find new hope? An endearing story from 1876.


Crossing by Philip Booth, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Few words are included in this book for young children, but the paintings that will enthrall any child, especially one who loves trains.


Underground Train by Mary Quattlebaum, illustrated by Cat Bowman Smith

A small girl travels on the DC metro train to visit her grandmother. Bright illustrations show the activities of the city. 

The children and I also learned a lot by watching the BBC series Full Steam Ahead on YouTube where historians and reenactors share about England's trains.

This post contains affiliate links.

9 comments :

  1. I love books about trains. We had a series of VHS tapes on the history of steam trains and I think we in our collection a children's book about trains.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I truly enjoy the sounds that trains make!

    P.S. I'd like to invite you to follow my blog as well, just click on my name above this comment of mine and you'll be taken there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice selection of books. Did your family ever ride the train at Wellsboro, pa? Technically, the Wellsboro Tioga? I know you have camped at Hills creek. My oldest son was a brakeman on that train for a few years. They do several themed rides, as well as regular excursions to Hammond lake. It is a great family event. I took my older grandkids there for events while Matt was there. He's considering returning.. I hope he does!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've never ridden that train but we've ridden others. Actually, our younger children probably don't remember riding a train. Need to put that on the list to do again. It is always enjoyable.
      Gina

      Delete
  4. How about THE RAILWAY CHILDREN by Edith Nesbit? The book was also made into a very good movie version.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Continued...I know it is not a picture book, but would be good for read aloud.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, The Railway Children is one of family's favorite books. We loved listening to it on Librivox.
      Gina

      Delete
    2. my kids loved listening to it on Librivox too! Bonus that Librivox is free!

      Delete
  6. So excited about this post!! My kids will be so thrilled!! They are also enamored with trains..all kinds. Going straight to the library. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails