This Train [Paperback]

Paul Collicutt (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

A concept book for the youngest of train lovers

All aboard! This is one train book you don't want to miss. Using a refreshingly simple approach, Paul Collicutt has crafted the perfect book for young railroad enthusiasts. Each page features a vividly colored and detailed painting of a train, and the spreads show how they are different -- long and short, fast and slow, old and new. As a bonus, full-color endpapers feature captioned renderings of real-life engine models from all over the world that were the inspirations for the trains depicted throughout the book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Trains in fiesta-bright hues zip through a picture book debut that uses the iron horse to demonstrate simple opposites and contrasts. Young train aficionados will appreciate the impression of speed and power Collicutt achieves," said PW. Ages 3-6.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Collicutt presents pictures of an international assortment of trains: Japanese, Italian, Dutch, Canadian, French, and North American. Simply worded, sparse text printed in large letters provides commentary on the vivid paintings. Each pair of illustrations on facing pages contains a concept, ranging from the basic ("This train is yellow. This train is red") to the sophisticated ("This train runs on steam. This train runs on electricity"). The bright, full-color art is simple and bold, and the endpapers give the name and country for each model featured. This title accomplishes many things: it's a concept book for preschoolers, a beginning reader, and a source of information for primary-grade train fans. This very successful presentation concentrates on the vehicles themselves, excluding the people who run and ride them. For a human connection, try Evelyn Clarke Mott's Steam Train Ride (Walker, 1991).
Liza Bliss, Worcester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374475180
• ISBN-13: 978-0374475185
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 10.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #542,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Baby-3 > Basic Concepts > Opposites
  • #66 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Trains

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very simple text with very interesting and detailed pictures, July 30, 2000

By 

Suzanne Amara (MA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: This Train (Hardcover)

This book caused a tantrum at the library! My younger son found it there, and we read it through a few times, but forgot to take it out. When we got home and he realized this, he was so upset! He had instantly fallen in love with it, and we wound up buying it. The text is as simple as it can be---each page just says something like "this train is long" or "this train is short", but the pictures are detailed and colorful and the kind true train lovers can look at for hours. His favorite is the LONG, LONG train. This is the kind of book that young kids can memorize and "read" easily, which they love to do. I'd certainly recommend this for any member of the train loving set.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Candy for Train Lovers, May 24, 2004

By 

Allison (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Train (Paperback)

This book is excellent for a toddler or young child who loves trains. It is also a pleasure for adults to read. The illustrations are sumptuous, and almost seem to glow. The text is simple and makes comparisons between trains ("This train is going uphill. This train is going downhill"), but don't let the simplicity put you off. It's exactly the kind of thing that pre-readers and early readers enjoy the most. New concepts are introduced on each page with rhythmic repetition.

The frontspiece of the book contains labelled illustrations of various trains in a more realistic style. I've tried to see if each of these trains is featured in an illustration of the book, but I don't think they all are. My 3 year old enjoys pointing to these labelled trains and having me read the captions as much as he enjoys the text of the book itself. Both sets of illustrations complement eachother and increase the appeal of the book. Babies and toddlers will enjoy the simple text and bright illustrations. Older children may show an interest in the individual trains and their names. This book is one of those rare finds that children will want to hear over and over and that parents won't mind reading to them.

5.0 out of 5 stars The best-ever book!, December 19, 2007

By 

Rachelle "consciousness" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Train (Paperback)

My son adores this book - he doesn't read yet - he's only 2 - but he can recite the entire book from memory and wants to read it every day! I love reading it too!