The Train [Paperback]

David McPhail (Author)

Book Description

When Matthew climbs out of bed one night to fix his broken train, he is delighted to find that his favorite toy has come to life. A warm, satisfying, and quietly humorous tale--perfect for bedtime reading. Illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Matthew lets baby brother operate his train, the youngster crashes it; Matthew goes to the rescue in a life-sized dream. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv Pap) (March 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316563315
• ISBN-13: 978-0316563314
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,821,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

DAVID McPHAIL is the creator of dozens of wonderful books, including Big Brown Bear's Up and Down Day; Sisters; Mole Music, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year; and several recent Green Light Readers for Harcourt. He lives in New Hampshire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best train book ever?, March 2, 2002

By 

Robert Nansel "BN Tallgrass Books" (Adelaide, South Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Train (Library Binding)

The only sad thing about this book is that it is out of print, and if this review can, in some small way, contribute to bringing the book back, I'll be very happy. David McPhail has a wonderful way of blending the worlds of reality and fantasy, awakeness and dream. In this book, Matthew goes to bed after his baby brother breaks his beloved model train. He apparently tries and fails to fall asleep, then climbs out of his bunk bed to see a full-size steam locomotive parked in his bedroom! He enjoys several adventures on the train, and gets to help the engineer drive the train. Then, as he becomes sleepy again, the engineer cradles him in his arms, and carries him to his own sleeper car--which bears a remarkable resemblance to his bunk bed. This is a tender, magical story, and every child who loves trains will love it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have a boy who loves trains ... this book is it!, February 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Train (Paperback)

Great illustrations and a lovely story of a boy's dream of his fixing and then riding on his toy train.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trains, Schmains, Whats the Dif if it's by David Mc Phail, January 3, 2006

By 

Mark Train (Richmond, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Train (Library Binding)

This is an extraordinary book by an extraordinary author. It is literate beyond the probably intended audience of chidren but not elusive in any sense. A single reading doesn't begin to reveal the depth of both the story and the art work. The many shifts between dreams and reality are compelling and delightful and unlike most "children's literature". I read this book to my children, boys and girls both and they read it to me. It was exciting for all of us on every read. It is, as one of them said, "a travesty" that it is out of print and as another said, "a tragedy" that I did not buy hundreds of copies to hoard just for the appreciated value. Perhaps, but the real appreciated value is that we all shared McPhail's vision repeatedly over the years. It is a great read, buy it at any cost and keep it in the family forever.