Customer Reviews

Tootle (Little Golden Storybook)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I still have my copy of Tootle that my parents got me in the '70s. I loved the book as a kid, and love it still. Both of my children royally enjoy the book, although I have not seen the "new" version that some have commented on.

Also - I was very surprised (almost mortified) to see many mediocre and negative reviews suggesting that Tootle is brain washing kids with tales of social conformity and suggesting that the towns people are robbing Tootle of his blissful happiness of playing in the field of buttercups.

Here's another take.

Tootle has a dream of being a big, fast locomotive. Along the ways of his studies to reach his goal, he succumbs to the peer pressure of a horse to race off the tracks. Tootle is derailed (no pun intended) from a diligent focus to achieve his dreams. There is a time for blissful happiness, and there is a time to take accountability for your goals and work to achieve them. The rail master and the towns people intervene into Tootles reckless ventures and remind him that he must remain diligent and "stay on the tracks" if he is to achieve his goals. Once he puts his mind to it, he grows up and achieves his goals.

Morals
- Don't succumb to peer pressure
- Remain focused on your goals and you can achieve anything

This is an adorable story about a baby locomotive who went to the village of Lower Trainswitch to learn to be a big locomotive.
They have lessons in many classes to learn whistle blowing, stopping for a red flag waving and puffing loudly, just to name a few. However, the most important lesson to learn was staying on the rails no matter what.

Tootle could never seem to do this. He always wanted to go and wonder in the meadow and chase birds or butterfly's.
Tootle had to be taught a lesson.

This little book teaches children in a fun way how important it is to follow directions.
My granddaughter and I enjoyed this read.
The illustrations were colorful and the book was enjoyable for her to look at.
Nice job!

Tootle was one of my favorite books as a child. It's an enjoyable story with beautiful artwork, and its message is quite simple: Stay on the right track in order to realize the goals you have set for yourself. This philosophy has worked quite well for me in life, and I now look forward to enjoying this book with my twin granddaughters.

I read Tootle as a child and to my own children since the early 1990s and through to today with my 2 year old. I have the current version and a pristine 1945 edition. The original had more artwork and was a longer story. Given that it is one of the longer Golden Books, I can understand why it was edited, but I do wish that some of the wonderful artwork had been kept. It is a great story with a great lesson.

being read this book as a child was simple fun, and went along with my parents encouraging me to be responsible.
as a parent I wanted my kids to realize that others were hurt by our unthinking selfishness.
It seems now that I'm older that the lesson, of doing only what WE want can spill the cargo of our family that we carry through life with us, is still valid.
That everyone in town is rooting for me to do what is right, and cheers when I'm successful, is what I wish to believe.

My first review of a book that I had as a child and relished! I LOVED this book!

I see how this story may be construed as being "conformist" - as an adult. However, children do need to have boundaries set. This is not a book for tweens and teenagers; it is a book for 3 - 6 year olds.

If you wish to visualize how this book could be inhibiting your snowflakes from having them "explore themselves" with no constraints, then think about "Tootles" hopped-up on "living free", running a red flag and crashing into a train full of children and leaving them either dead and/or dying, mangled and screaming. I think this book shows rules of responsibility that should be instilled at a very early age.

Sorry for the graphic thought, but I grew up around trains and love/respect them. You are not damaging your young readers by giving them constraints.

You can disagree with your children (not the book) when they test those boundaries you've established and they find out for themselves what they are willing to risk to achieve their goals - without putting themselves, you as parents and strangers' lives at risk in their pursuit. You need to guide your children and keep them "on the tracks" until they have the ability to think for themselves and others on the consequences of their actions.

PS I am definitely non-conformist!

Tootle contains a deep truth. There are nothing but red flags for little trains that get off the tracks.

This book should be on every parents daily reading list.

It is NOT about conformity, for heaven's sake.

Since when is following your dreams and respecting yourself and what's special about you 'off the tracks'.

'Off the tracks' means dropping out of school, crime, addiction, THESE are the tracks and trust me, if you get off the tracks your life is going to be FULL of red flags.

This is a delightful and educational little book for children. It relates to locomotives and round houses where the trains can change directions;something children would not normally learn.

Tootle is the tootlest, haha. That means he's radically cool for your kids!

This book will provide adventure, laughter, a thrilling story and... will ultimately make your child happy and fill his imagination with plenty of colorful thoughts and images. I highly recommend it. Read it to your kids before bedtime and watch their eyes light up with excitement. This is one train that's destined for the right reaction as the adorable train races around mountains and through country areas with an ongoing desire for success! Choo choo!!!

Gave this as a gift to co-worker's son for Christmas...He loved it, I had the same book when I was growing up in the 1950's.