Customer Reviews

Niccolini's Song

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very rarely have I seen nighttime so beautifully portrayed as in "Niccolini's Song," a magical, book about a night watchman sings lullabies to the trains he cares for. Wearing his engineer-striped cap and denim overalls, the mustachioed, big-eyed Niccolini is a comforting presence: "Some watchmen were as cold and hard as the engines they cared for. Niccolini was not. He was a quiet man. His wife always said he was a good listener."

Usually there's no trouble at the train yard, but Niccolini is ready with his whistle and his legs just in case. One night, he hears mysterious sounds, which is just a family of raccoons. However, he then hears low whispers:

"No, please, no more whistling."

"Seventy-six boxcars from here to Waxahachie, and only three hours sleep." turn

"Would you sing to me....Something low and sweet?"

The whispers are from a train ("it takes a very good listener to hear a steam engine worry"), and it implores Niccolini for comfort with a song. His hand on the locomotive, Niccolini closes his eyes, remembers a tune his mother used to sing to him, and makes up new words that lull the engine to sleep. The picture of Niccolini singing to the train is as warm as the night must be cold; it's an outstanding illustration by Mark Buehner.

Many authors would be satisfied to let the narrative end here; it's already a lovely story. However, author Chuck Wilcoxen extends it in an imaginative way. Niccolini's soothing lullabies not only sooth the trains that need it, but an ever increasing number of mothers who bring their crying babies to the train yard to hear Niccolini. And, on one particular night, when the wind is howling and all the unsettled babies in the neighborhood come with mothers and fathers to the yard, Niccolini conducts a concert of trains, all playing Niccolini's song by softly blowing their whistles. The clouds, as if directed by Niccolini as well, form in to soft animal shapes, and both parents and kids become calm, trudging back up the hill to their little houses.

Buehner, a veteran of many children's books, paints a velvety nightscape sharp outlines and warm facial colors that melt away fears of the dark, and first-time author Wilcoxen masterfully tells a soothing, wistful, and very imaginative tale. This is one of the best children's books of the year, and it would make an excellent gift. Simply magnificent.

Niccolini's Song fell into the hands of my three year old son and we've been reading it ever since. The illustrations are lush, and the story is enchanting. Descriptions such as "...stroking the damp hair of their sleeping children..." make the story one I can relate to, and the fact that the big trains need lullabies is comforting to my son. If you have a train lover on your shopping list, you can't go wrong with this book.

My train obsessed three year old LOVES this book. It's our #1 request at bedtime! The story is lovely, the pictures are incredible.

We bought this book as a special treat for my 3 year old son who is train obsessed. From the first read, he AND his little sister loved it. The story is wonderfully soothing to read at night. If we happen to read it during the day we always find something new. (Look closely at the paper blowing in the wind). I would recommend this book to a girl or boy.

This book is so enchanting and keeps the attention of my very active 2 yr. old son. The artwork is beautiful and the story itself is very sweet. A must read!!!

This is a one-of-a-kind heartwarming tale about human kindess, set in the scene of a train yard. A nightwatchmen takes care of trains and his neighbors. The words are almost poetic in places, as gentle as Niccolini himself. The first time I read it, tears came to my eyes as I remembered my own sleepless nights, pacing my colic-y baby to sleep. My son who adores trains loves the illustrations and understands that trains can talk, if you listen. A great way to teach little ones about the gifts we each possess, and how that can fit into the world in surprising ways. Be true to yourself! Be a good listener!! How endearing is this story? I bought it when my son was three. He's 8 now. And it still brings a special feeling of peace and love to us when we read it together.

This is one of the most moving bedtime stories I have ever read. From the first time I read Niccolini's Song to my son we were both hooked. By the time I closed the book, I was awe of both the story and the amazing art. Each time you flip through the pages you see different images in the clouds. The story itsself was comforting, descriptive, heartwarming, and simple to understand. This is truly one of my favorite children's stories ever.

My son is two and a half and LOVES this book. He calls it "Nick-lee-nee" and asks for it several times a week. Highly highly recommended!

This is a lovely book for children. It is nicely illustrated and the story is a happy one-it involves a railroad yard night watchman who sings restless locomotives to sleep. Eventually, he expands to singing neighborhood children to sleep and finally, the locomotives help him by singing with their whistles.

My 3-year old loves this book! After reading it every night for a month or so, he began to recite the entire book to me from memory. I can't even remember it, and I'm the one reading it! It is a lovely story about giving and helping and kindness. Sweet and thoughtful and well-written. A keeper for years to come!