Train Song (Paperback)

by Diane Siebert (Author), Michael Wimmer (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
From boxcars to diners, from rural towns to city stations, the intriguing world of trains is evoked in this stunningly illustrated poem. As with Heartland and Truck Song , Siebert does not tell a story so much as present stunning images: the "great trains / freight trains / talk about your late trains / the 509 / right on time / straight through to L.A." roar through tunnels and across the countryside. While the syntax and rhythms of the poem are not always immediately clear, Siebert's eclectic assemblage of details allows the reader to "feel the rhythm" and "hear the sound" of the trains. Wimmer's luminous, nostalgic paintings will enable readers to grasp the beauty and power of the trains and the landscape across which they travel, "clickety-clacking / homeward bound." Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
In the relentless rhythm of the rolling wheel, this book revels in the movement, sights, and sounds of train transport. Place names (Buffalo, Abilene, Seattle, North Platte) punctuate the short, punchy lines that propel listeners effectively, if somewhat mechanically, through the detailed description of freight and passenger trains, with their various cars, conductors, and engineers. The rhyme and rhythm will appeal to children, but the pictures are sure to persuade adults to sign on for a nostalgic ride through the past. Wimmer celebrates the bygone elegance of dining cars and the charm of vernacular architecture. A close look at his realistic paintings reveals the fluid brushwork and impressionistic use of reflected color carried by light: the steel rails reflect the sky, shadows are multicolor conjunctions. And the artist gains maximum mileage from layout. From the opening page, in which the train appears as a detail through the mesh of a screen door, Wimmer balances the predictable with the unexpected. Much of the drama is provided by the (generally low) viewpoint, or by the effective juxtaposition of close-up and distant views. Many children are loco about locomotives; if this book doesn't offer engine specs, it certainly tenders a paean to the romance of the railroad. --Patricia Dooley, University of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064433404
• ISBN-13: 978-0064433402
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #237,229 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like you're on a train, June 22, 2000

By A Customer

My little boy (now 3) has loved this book from the first time I read the first verse. He is truly a train fanatic, but the rhythm of the verse creates the impression that you really are on a train. "Out in back, Clickety-clack..." is just like the chug-chug-chug.

The rhythm together with the beautiful illustrations, the imagery of the words -- this book delivers a ride for senses. All that was missing was the sooty smell of the locomotive's smoke. Perhaps that will come in a virtual reality Train Song, some time in 2005. ;-)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book for young train lovers---wonderful pictures!, September 4, 1998

By A Customer

I am not usually a fan of rhyming books, but this one was an exception. My son, who is a big train lover, has listened to it many, many times. The pictures are the best part---they really make you nostalgic for the days when trains like the ones depicted were in more common use.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable Illustrations, November 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Train Song (School & Library Binding)

This is one of my all-time favorite children's books. The rhythmic text evokes the rhythm of a train, and the illustrations are almost eerie to me in their ability to transport me to a different place and time. I can almost hear the screen door creak, smell the smells and feel the heat as the train travels its cross country route. I also recommend "All the Places to Love", also illustrated by Mr. Wimmer. To me he has that rare ability to pull you into his paintings.