Choo-choo

TRAIN by Elisha Cooper. Orchard Books/Scholastic, 2013.

Various types of trains criss-cross the landscape. Watercolor illustrations range from calm to powerful as readers will discover how trains move people, produce, and more across the country. This book is a perfect pairing with the following.

LOCOMOTIVE by Brian Floca. Atheneum, 2013.

More than one narrative thread winds its way down the tracks and across the US in this book about trains. Fiction and nonfiction are effortlessly woven together. Back matter, endpapers, and notes offer more information for readers.

picture books

TRAIN MAN by Andrea Zimmerman and David Clemesha (Holt, March 2012)is a perfect book for any child who dreams of becoming a train engineer. A young boy plays with his trains and imagines what it will be like to become a train man. He will drive the train up mountains delivering passengers safely. Of course, he will take along his little brother, too, so he can also become a train man when he grows up. <32>




HELP ME LEARN ADDITION by Jean Marzollo with photographic illustrations by Chad Phillips (Holiday House, March 2012) addresses basic math concepts with numbers from 0-20. Clear photographs allow readers to count and "manipulate" puppets, chicks, and other objects as they learn the various ways numbers can operate in addition.
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