Nevertheless She Persisted: The Little Engine That Could by Wally Piper and Loren Long

"I AM NOT VERY BIG. THEY USE ME ONLY FOR SWITCHING ENGINES IN THE YARD. I HAVE NEVER BEEN OVER THE MOUNTAIN," SAID THE VERY LITTLE ENGINE.

THE DOLLS AND THE TOYS WERE READY TO CRY.

"I THINK I CAN. I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN!" SAID THE LITTLE BLUE ENGINE.

AND SHE HITCHED HERSELF TO THE LITTLE TRAIN.

And in some of the most famous lines of twentieth-century literature, Watty Piper's Very Little Engine chugs bravely over the mountain, in a iconic story that over the decades has been published in many editions, from Little Golden Books to large-format picture books.

Now along comes noted children's artist Loren Long to take on the challenge of re-illustrating a major new edition of this classic.

Loren Long has long had an affinity for vintage vehicles, having created the much-loved little old farm tractor Otis, (see reviews here) who has been literally put out to pasture, an outcast in the weeds behind the barn, replaced by a bigger and shinier new tractor with all the bells and whistles. But then he is called out to rescue his friend when all the others fail.

Otis is certainly the storybook descendant of the Little Engine That Could. Loren Long's new illustrations for Piper's beloved book update the Little Blue Engine only by a decade or so, keeping the rounded shapes and anthropomorphic charm of Piper's creation, while adding, as is Long's wont, lovely spreading landscapes of vintage farm pastures and wooded hills often described as Thomas Hart Benton-like. Long's little train, filled with dolls, toy animals, and "good things to eat" continue the mood, the giraffes' heads high above their baggage cars, the elephants' trunks dangling over the sides, as the dolls, led by the clown as spokesman, beg for help from a series of more powerful engines who scorn the little load of toys as beneath their dignity to haul.

Loren Long's new edition keeps the original text intact as the Shiny New Engine, the Big Strong Engine, and the Rusty Old Engine turn down the the clown's plaintive plea, and the task falls to a tiny but plucky little switch engine. Modest but stalwart, she persists to deliver her "jolly load" and the rest is children's literature history. Long's strong but winsome acrylic illustrations are both powerful and charming in this welcome new edition. The theme of the triumph of the small over the large and grand is one that small children have always understood, and for any child who does not have this timeless story, Loren Long's new The Little Engine That Could (Philomel Books, 2017) is a welcome must-have.

Says Publishers Weekly's starred review," “Long . . . adds a lushness to the spreads and injects even more personality into the characters. Both faithful fans and newcomers will enjoy this triumphant ride and eagerly climb aboard for repeat excursions.”

CHOO CHOO, Stay, I Say!! How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton

"IT'S ONLY NATURAL THAT YOU'LL WANT TO TAKE HOME ALL THE TRAINS, BUT DON'T JUST GRAB THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE.

TAKE YOUR TIME AND CHOOSE THE ONE THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU."

Over the literary ages storybook kids have chosen some weird pets, all right--dragons, giant snakes, crocodiles, dinosaurs. (You know those stories, right?) So it's not too much of a huff puff down the mental track to imagine that a train might be the ideal pet for certain kids. Trains come in all sizes and shapes--hoary old steam engines with cowcatchers up front or sleek, bullet-like monorails. But whatever they look like, they need to be watered, washed, and taught how to behave just like any pet. And for that you need a guide book! Enter Jason Carter Eaton's newest, How to Train a Train (Candlewick Press, 2013).

Eaton opens with some advice about approaching a potential pet train.

"IF YOU BROUGHT SOME COAL WITH YOU, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME TO OFFER IT.

TRY SAYING, 'MY, WHAT A HANDSOME TRAIN YOU ARE!'

WELL DONE!  HERE IT COMES!!"

Eaton's helpful train training instructions continue, and in no time the pet train is rolling over, listening to sleepytime train stories, and letting the child ride him. Still, trains can be contrary and there are always silly "train tricks" to be gotten through in the process. But good train owners are empathetic with their charges.

"LEARN TO KNOW YOUR TRAIN.  HOW DOES IT FEEL ABOUT BRIDGES AND TUNNELS?" 

Eaton's text catches the slightly quaint retro tone of a child's guide to pet care as he puts his young would-be train owners through their paces, with much assistance from the detailed and dramatic artwork of notable illustrator John Rocco, whose sturdy and comic pictures give this wry fantasy substance and humor. Rocco shows his pet train tracking up the carpet with coal dust, an anxious engine getting a soothing warm bath at the water stop, and a sympathetic child pulling his nervous-Nellie steam engine over a trestle above an intimidating gorge. Combining the concept of trains and pets is a novel approach, and Rocco's many humorous touches throughout make this whimsical takeoff on pet ownership a trainload of fun that will be scheduling a lot of storytime return trips.