Steam Train, Dream Train
Written by: Sherri Dusky Rinker
Illustrated by: Tom Lichtenheld
Published by: Chronicle Books LLC 2013
Ages: 4 – 6 years
Theme: Trains, animals, night-time
Opening Lines: Through the darkness, clickety-clack… coming closer, down the track… hold your breath so you can hear hugging, chuffing drawing near.
Synopsis: From Amazon – The team behind the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site returns with another fabulous book for bedtime! The dream train pulls into the station, and one by one the train cars are loaded: polar bears pack the reefer car with ice cream, elephants fill the tanker cars with paints, tortoises stock the auto rack with race cars, bouncy kangaroos stuff the hopper car with balls. Sweet and silly dreams are guaranteed for any budding train enthusiasts!
Why I like this: This richly coloured in midnight hues book by the #1 New York Times bestseller duo Sherri and Tom, of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, is a treasure for those young train lovers. I loved how the illustrations showed the animals putting everything on to the train, from the juggling monkeys and the stacking of blocks on the camel’s hump to the elephant’s pouring the paint into the tankers, even the giraffe had a place. The enchanting rhyme is catchy and kids will love this to be read to them night after night before bed.
Resources/Findings: Beautiful Trailer for the book.. . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48PD91_hB9w
Interview with Sherri here… http://www.fairytaletown.org/meet-sherri-duskey-rinker/
A great story on Tom Lichtenheld here… http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/54742-steam-train-dream-train-the-evolution-of-a-cover.html
Here are some colouring pages of trains …. http://www.hellokids.com/r_711/coloring-pages/transportation-coloring-pages/train-coloring-pages
Facts about trains…. http://www.kidsdiscover.com/spotlight/trains-for-kids/
I’m so pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view. So pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
This sounds like a fun train!
It is, thanks rhythm.
Oh, I’ve wanted to check this one out for a while. We like trains at our house.
Cool! Hope you are able to find it in your library, Stacy! Enzo will love it.
Great pick, Diane!
Thanks, Julie!
This is a marvelous book! 😀
Isn’t it, Erik! Glad you approve!
Sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Darlene!
Glad you reviewed this book and I could see the trailer. I’m starting to add to our new grandson’s bookshelf, and I almost added this book to the list. I am such a fan of anything Lichtenheld publishes. I want to pick some favorite books while they are still in hardback. Thanks for sharing.
Cool! It’s a great little story, I think your grandson will love. Your welcome, Pat.
Excellent choice.
Thanks, Joanna!
Wonderful resources here – and it is such a great bedtime book!
Thank you, Cathy!
This sounds just wonderful, Diane! I haven’t had a chance to read it, but I’ve read the construction site one so I’m sure this one is just as fun! Thanks so much for adding this one to our list! 🙂
Thanks Susanna, Your welcome.
I was so glad to finally get around to reading this one. Now I know why it is so popular. Thanks for the review.
Your welcome, Joanne. So pleased you were able to read this great little story. Aren’t the illustrations beautiful?