New Engine: La Maquina Nueva

Children's Literature

The author/illustrator writes his own childhood story about a young boy named Mijo, whose father faces the possibility of losing his train job to a new beast, the new diesel locomotive coming to town. For American children of today's ever-quickly-changing digital generation, this career dilemma may be quite unfamiliar and far removed from the older, slower way of life of an eighteenth century Mexican train worker. However, the feelings of a young boy desperately wanting to help his family survive are not. Contrariwise, the fourteen surreal, computer-generated illustrations send a message of negativism instead of building positively upon the hero's role. Abstract, dreamlike visions coupled with the demon-faced engine unfold in the same, exact, page-by-page format—picture, text in English and text in Spanish. Perhaps a more realistic approach to the well-loved subject of both old and new trains, (or technological beasts of any generation) would have put steam into the train. As it is here, the train never left the station. 2001, Kiva Publishing, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Patricia Timbrook

School Library Journal

Gr 1-5-A man tells a story from his childhood, about the coming of "a beast" that almost costs his father his railroad job. The beast in question is a diesel locomotive that runs on oil instead of coal. He recalls his father's fear and concern, which evaporates when he is offered a chance to adapt to the times and learn the new technology. The story ends with the narrator discussing his own railway job, now threatened because, once again, new technology (this time a computer) has come on the scene. The narrative is expertly told, making real the threat that the new engine poses, the uncertainty in the family whose livelihood is at risk, and the child's fierce determination to send the machine back where it came from-all this turning to fascination when he at last sees the sleek new train. The illustrations are remarkable. Produced on a computer, pencil sketches and photographs were scanned in and blended to create a surreal, perspective-bending whole that is truly fascinating to view. The engine, shown in black and white, presents a Satanic face, until the narrator realizes that it is harmless. This is an excellent book to initiate dialogue about change and the response to things that are different-fear, anger, and rejection-as well as the human ability to adapt. A tour de force, and truly one of a kind. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.