Publishers Weekly
The squat, wide format of this book is already well-suited to its subject matter, and it becomes even more so when its trick is revealed: five pages pull out, almost tripling the scenes' width and unveiling additional railroad cars. Steele provides an informative chronology of locomotive history from the advent of steam power to the rise of luxury trains like the Orient Express and today's high-speed and mag-lev trains. With spreads dedicated to subways, train stations, and track construction in addition to the trains featured, this is likely to delight railroad enthusiasts. Ages 8–up. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Newtons Book NewsRich in non-fiction information about the history of trains and railroads beginning with steam engines.There are the most amazing slide-out and lift-up pages that form an elongated train with engines and trains connecting. You will also learn about train stations, track construction, famous railroads and much, much more. This extraordinary book is good for ages 8 through adult. School Library JournalSteele grabs readers' attention and stimulates their curiosity with plenty of factual information and interactive elements. . . . The combination of an easy-to-follow writing style and varied images works well to explain details such as the difference between rail gauges, how to read train signals, and the contrast between smooth and rack rails. Train lovers will be engaged by the book's internationall coverage. Kirkus ReviewsLess a pop-up than a pull-out, this survey of railroad history is jampacked with facts delivered in discrete chunks that are nevertheless organized to cover, spread by spread, the development of railroads in Europe and the United States. . . . The sheer volume of facts and busyness of the pages ensure that young rail fanatics will find something new over multiple readings. Publishers WeeklyThe squat, wide format of this book is already well-suited to its subject matter, and it becomes even more so when its trick is revealed: five pages pull out, almost tripling the scene's width and unveiling additional railroad cars. Steele provides an informative chronology of locomotive history from the advent of steam power to the rise of luxury trains like the Orient Express and today's high-speed and mag-lev trains. . . . this is likely to delight railroad enthusiasts. Tucsoncitizen.comIn this slide-out, see-through, hands-on book, young readers will see the train from the humble beginnings of the steam engine to the challenge of laying transcontinental rails. Amazing die-cuts, sliders, and see-through panels provide a unique glimpse into some of the world most iconic trains. Philip Steele is the author of more than sixty books on history, geography, and cultural and social themes for children. (Ages 8 up)
School Library Journal
K-Gr 6—Steele grabs readers' attention and stimulates their curiosity with plenty of factual information and interactive elements. The material, organized topically on spreads, begins with the first railroads and moves on to underground rail transportation, world travel, mountain railroads, luxury trains, diesel power, electric trains, and the quest for speed. The concluding segment showcases the architectural styles of select train stations. Headlines compartmentalize the material into distinct sections. The spreads host a combination of details along with clear captioned photos, diagrams, maps, and original artwork. Dramatic sliding pages allow readers to expand the train illustrations, while a few flaps tucked here and there give them an opportunity to look at the vehicles' inner components. Reproductions of historical posters advertising train travel are a unique addition. Photos come from a variety of sources, which are identified on the index page. The combination of an easy-to-follow writing style and varied images works well to explain details such as the difference between rail gauges, how to read train signals, and the contrast between smooth and rack rails. Train lovers will be engaged by the book's international coverage.—Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH
Kirkus Reviews
Less a pop-up than a pull-out, this survey of railroad history is jampacked with facts delivered in discrete chunks that are nevertheless organized to cover, spread by spread, the development of railroads in Europe and the United States, different rail and engine technologies, the spread of rail transportation around the world, challenges offered by differing terrains, modern trains and train stations. The illustrations, a combination of archival materials, photographs and original art, are enlivened by pull-out leaves that extend a page-occupying image of a car, for instance, with more cars, a tender and/or a locomotive. Occasional lift-up flaps reveal interiors—Hercule Poirot within the Orient-Express; a '30s-era jazz band on tour. The sheer volume of facts and busyness of the pages ensure that young rail fanatics will find something new over multiple readings. (index) (Pop-up nonfiction. 8-13)
