Trains (First Discovery Books) [Spiral-bound]

Scholastic Books (Author), James Prunier (Illustrator), Heather Miller (Translator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: First Discovery Books

Brief text and illustrations introduce the world of trains, from the steam locomotives of the nineteenth century to today's high speed electric models.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

About the Author

James Prunier is a children's book creator.

--This text refers to an alternate Spiral-bound edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Spiral-bound: 24 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590381563
• ISBN-13: 978-0590381567
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,319,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interactive and Informative, July 14, 2004

By 

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

This review is from: Trains (First Discovery Books) (Spiral-bound)

I found this book at a used book store and my son (3 years old) immediately liked it. The book features full color and highly detailed drawings of trains. What sets it apart from other introductory books about trains are the clear acetate overlays between most of the pages. These plastic pages are printed with designs that are visible on both sides and that add to the printed images on the other pages. The overlays also cover up text on the upcoming page so that more information and pictures are revealed when the child lifts them up. The book has a lot of the appeal of a lift-the-flap book, but is much more durable. It has a spiral binding that is enclosed inside a hardback cover, so the pages lie flat.

The text of the book is short and easy to read aloud. Much of the information is contained in captions for the images, many of which are objects shown against a white background in the style that is fashionable these days. The main text of the book is printed in a larger font than the labels and captions, so you can choose to read only the basic information aloud, or add more detail as a child shows interest. The text is engaging in that it asks questions and then reveals the answers so that children have a chance to speculate a bit.

Children old enough to read this book themselves may be too old for the simplistic information unless this is truly their first introduction to trains. My only gripe about the text is that some information is printed against a colored background and is hard to read. Other times, the text is arranged to hide behind an acetate overlay, and is oddly spaced.

This book begins by talking about trains in the United States, but quickly moves to international trains and provides a fairly balanced worldwide view (even a Peruvian train is shown). The final pages show "trains" of amusement park rides, but there is a picture of a skeleton inside a haunted house type ride that might frighten the preschoolers or toddlers. Use your judgement. My rather trepid 3 year old doesn't mind.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trains (A First Discovery Book), May 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Trains (First Discovery Books) (Spiral-bound)

My sons are 3 and 4-1/2 and love trains. They enjoy reading this book because the transparent flaps add an extra exciting touch to their favorite subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book for Children & Adults, January 27, 2008

By 

M. Lemon "Doodles Mommy" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Trains (First Discovery Books) (Spiral-bound)

This book looks so real and with the 3D pictures you and your children will feel like they are actually on a Train. This is a great book to look at and read for hours at a time. We notice something different every time we look at it.