Aboard a Steam Locomotive

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Life on a Barge, Life on a Fishing Boat and Balloon Trip are all titles in Scarry's Sketchbook series. In this new title, a young narrator tells of his quest to learn about steam locomotives, andby traveling the world over in leapshe illustrates the mighty ``work horses'' he's seen, with every knob, gadget, bolt, throttle, lever and valve in full view. He explains the hierarchy in the engine sheds, the domain of the engineer and the duties of all those involved with the locomotives. Railroad routes across the U.S., a history (to the present) and a list of famous locomotives are all provided in sturdy pencil drawings that will give young train buffs an eyeful. Ages 8-12. (July)

School Library Journal

Gr 4-12 This book is well-written, beautifully illustrated, and informativea pleasure to read. Masterful sketches of steam locomotives from several countries are accurate and detailed. Brief, and not overwhelming to young readers, the text is replete with facts about steam engines and railroading. How a locomotive works and what parts go together to make up a locomotive are explained in proficient sketches and a concise text. Other sections include an enumeration of the duties of the engineer and fireman; the importance of signals and signalling systems; various apsects of a train journey; steam trains of the past; and a history of the development of the steam locomotive and railroading. An excellent list of sources is appended. A book that will appeal to a variety of ages, and one that will be a useful and valued addition to most collections. Don Reaber, Meadowdale High Sch . , Lynnwood, Wash.