Let's Look at Trains

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

"Let's Go" is the title of this series, and this board book is chock full of information. The drawings are almost like photographs. Each spread features a type of train with callouts to identify the major train parts. There is also a question posed on certain spreads which often require some counting and observational skills. In the first picture of an early steam engine, the question posed is "How many wheels does this train have?" Since the set of wheels on the other track is not clearly shown, kids need to be observant enough to know that when they see one set there is actually another set on the other track. The answers, by the way, are not provided so caregivers will need to sharpen their own skills. The Wild West train with its cow catcher is followed by the fastest steam train and then a description of the largest steam locomotive. In this scene kids are asked to find the train's bell. From steam to electric trains, the text then moves to subway trains and finally monorails. I guess I would have expected maglev trains to appear rather than subway trains, but that is a minor quibble. The publishers have created a series that looks at a variety of vehicles—boats, planes, tractors and trains. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot