Tootles the Train L.G.S.S.B.

I still have my copy of Tootle that my parents got me in the '70s. I loved the book as a kid, and love it still. Both of my children royally enjoy the book, although I have not seen the "new" version that some have commented on. Also - I was very surprised (almost mortified) to see many mediocre and negative reviews suggesting that Tootle is brain washing kids with tales of social conformity and suggesting that the towns people are robbing Tootle of his blissful happiness of playing in the field of buttercups. Here's another take. Tootle has a dream of being a big, fast locomotive. Along the ways of his studies to reach his goal, he succumbs to the peer pressure of a horse to race off the tracks. Tootle is derailed (no pun intended) from a diligent focus to achieve his dreams. There is a time for blissful happiness, and there is a time to take accountability for your goals and work to achieve them. The rail master and the towns people intervene into Tootles reckless ventures and remind him that he must remain diligent and "stay on the tracks" if he is to achieve his goals. Once he puts his mind to it, he grows up and achieves his goals. Morals - Don't succumb to peer pressure - Remain focused on your goals and you can achieve anything

Tootle was one of my favorite books as a child. It's an enjoyable story with beautiful artwork, and its message is quite simple: Stay on the right track in order to realize the goals you have set for yourself. This philosophy has worked quite well for me in life, and I now look forward to enjoying this book with my twin granddaughters.

Tootle contains a deep truth. There are nothing but red flags for little trains that get off the tracks. This book should be on every parents daily reading list. It is NOT about conformity, for heaven's sake. Since when is following your dreams and respecting yourself and what's special about you 'off the tracks'. 'Off the tracks' means dropping out of school, crime, addiction, THESE are the tracks and trust me, if you get off the tracks your life is going to be FULL of red flags.

Tootle, a story that brings back wonderful memories. I read this book over and over to my granddaughter from when she was less then 2 years old until she could read on her own. That granddaughter will be a mother herself of a baby girl in the spring 2008. I'm getting this book for her so she can read it to her baby girl

I read Tootle as a child and to my own children since the early 1990s and through to today with my 2 year old. I have the current version and a pristine 1945 edition. The original had more artwork and was a longer story. Given that it is one of the longer Golden Books, I can understand why it was edited, but I do wish that some of the wonderful artwork had been kept. It is a great story with a great lesson.