The Train to Timbuctoo

My two-year-old (almost three) absolutely loves this book and I thoroughly enjoying reading it. The rythm and rhymes and imagery are just plain fun. My son likes to make the train whistle sounds himself when we get to those parts. This is a book I would definitely think of giving as a gift. It's simply a classic.

This book became my son's favorite when he was about 3. He loved the rhythm and hearing Mom say "WHO-OOOO!" and "Whee-eeee!". He would often sit and read it to himself, repeating the fun train sounds. He and his brother have "loved" it so much that our copy is now beyond repair, so I'm glad to know that it's still available for purchase!

I am looking for a reading copy of this book, as I fear for the life of my first edition since my two daughters, ages 2 and 4, have discovered it. They don't want to look at it by themselves -- they want me to read it, because this is one of the all-time great books for reading aloud. The pictures are nice, but it's the rhythm that makes the story. When read in the proper spirit, the text sounds like a train going over railroad tracks. The contrasting sounds of the big and small trains help to hold the kids'attention, and best of all, my kids love to make the sounds with me as I read. What kid can resist a hearty "Whooooooo!" or a quiet "wheeeeeee! or a quiet chant of "picketa picketa picketa picketa" for the small engine and a loud chant of "POCKETA POCKETA POCKETA POCKETA" for the big engine? Mine can't. And they're girls who aren't overly excited by trains. They do love music, though, and that's what the rhythm of this book most closely resembles.

I have absolutely loved this story from the first time I read it to my son. From the repetition of the story, to the rhythm of the trains, we literally read the cover off this book! I am excited to have found it again, and am ordering one to have on hand to read with my grand children, and my oldest child is only 12. That is how wonderful I think this story is!

A simple tale of two trains racing from Kalamazoo to Timbuctu. Ms. Brown has a way with rhythm. Her stories build a tempo with the words, as do other childrens books, but then she breaks it. This captures the attention of young children as no other author has done. Her best known work is Good Night Moon. Yes, they sound like the usual bland works for youngsters, but watch the eyes of a four-year-old as you read it. It's magic!