Books about vehicles – and there are lots of them – tend to aim at the rough-and-tumble. But what about if you’d like to calm your wheels-obsessed kid down at bedtime? My first pick would be Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site (which I love) – and now, the team behind that title has a new one!
Steam Train, Dream Train, by Sherri Dusker Rinker
Chronicle Books, ISBN: 978 1 452 10920 6
In this tale, animals load toys into a train for transport in the night, finally tucking themselves in to sleep once their work is through. It’s simple, and ends with the spread below, hinting that this was all happening in dreamland, but the language is soft and lulling, and the artwork… I love Lichtenheld’s art in wilder, more cartoon-y books, but I am delighted to find that he handles the inky skies and softened edges of a dreamy nighttime setting beautifully as well.
I can’t say I love this one as much as their first, but it delivers the same blend of gentle rhythm and transit theme, and is a good bet for getting a wee locomotive lover to sit still and listen – and maybe even close a pair of tired eyes.
Leave a Reply