The Little Engine that could product reviews

Everyone loves The Little Engine That Could, the classic tale of the determined little engine that, despite its size, triumphantly pulls a train full of toys to the waiting children on the other side of a mountain. When none of the other trains could be bothered the little engine took on the challenge and delivers all the toys to the the girls and boys.

I remember this book from when I was little and that is going back 30 years so for a book too last generations and still have an appeal to readers of this day and age is saying a lot about the moral and contents of this story. I definitely think it's still an enchanting tale of a little train filled with toys, books, fruit, milk and treats for 'all those good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain.'

The book has changed over the year and in my opinion it has changed for the better! The enrichment of this new edition with the bountiful illustrations that take their palette and inspiration from the original book, but are greatly enhanced by imagination and inventiveness, to say nothing of glorious printing. The colours are warmer, richer and fuller, and the illustrations are definitely aimed at the children of today.

The oversized glossy pages within the new designed book allows the illustrator to fill the pages and the imagination of young children with magic like two double-page spreads of toys and treats floating in the air and brilliant perspectives that set the scenes. The trains are curvier, their faces more dramatic with bigger smiles etc. There is real movement in the rounded lines of the roads and rails as well as the struggle to reach the top.

The Little Engine That Could is a classic tale of determination and willpower overcoming perception. This story should be shared with all young children who have ever thought that they couldn't achieve something. What a great moral to teach young children, such a great story to develop identity and self-confidence.

The children I work with will sit and listen to this book over and over and love to look closely at the bright pages, gazing at all the contents of the train, picking out the toys that they would like to have. The words within the book are easy to read and the children stay engaged and wait for their favourite part...saying, 'I think I can, I think I can!

The Little Engine That Could was a favourite story on our bookshelf when I was growing up. I remember my mum would often chant to us "I think I can, I think I can" whenever we faced a challenge whether it was learning to ride a bike or learn spelling words. As a result I have fond memories of the book.

When I saw this version of the book complete with a CD I had to buy it. It is one of the few books I have bought from a catalogue without having seen it. I loved it immediately. I was teaching New Entrants at the time and it quickly became a favourite with the class. The song is very fast but needs to be to have the effect of being a train. I found it impossible to sing along with it due to the pace. As with most books with an accompanying CD the children preferred the CD to be reading it.

The illustrations were bold cartoon style and gave it instant appeal to all the young children I have shared it with. As a classic story with a great message (think you can do it and you will succeed) it is a great book to give as a baby shower gift to remind the new parents that although raising a child is challenging they can do it.

I remember this story when I was little, it was slightly different but this one is fun. My 3 year old is train mad and when he got this for Christmas he was one very excited boy we have read it 3 times in a row now and he isnt sick of it.

With the beautiful illustrations in a large book and the wipeable pages I just love it. The pages aren't made just like paper its almost got a wipeable surface in case little ones get their artwork into the book you can wipe it clean.

The story goes though helping a little train with cars full of toys for little boys and girls, and gets stuck. You cant help but sing little bits here and there on the pages. It tells the child a good message just think you can. My son tells me the story in his own words and we talk about the pictures, its a great book to get your child to understand feelings as the trains show that.