Happy Cinco de Mayo! Right now, I am in Chicago, visiting family! Thank goodness for being able to schedule posts in advance.
It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday and I’m thrilled to present another 2017 debut picture book.
I also wanted to remind everyone to continue to spread the word about the #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge. 
There are only a few more days for teachers and parents to email the stories to me – it’s a wonderful activity for schools who want to celebrate Children’s Book Week or for parents who enjoy providing creative projects for their kids. I’m grateful to everyone who shared on social media or who contacted teacher and parent connections.
Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday also has a giveaway…so don’t forget to leave a comment.
TRAINS DON’T SLEEP
Written by Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum
Illustrated by Dierdre Gill
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Ages: Preschool – Grade 3
Themes:
Trains, travel,
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
Puffing, chuffing, never yawning
Climbing hills as day is dawning.
Trains don’t sleep, they
CLANG and HOOT
Cross bridges and canyons, plow through snow, charge down mountains, and meander across fields filled with sheep. And when it is time to rest and dreams are just ahead, never fear—trains don’t sleep so that you can.
With the feel of a classic and vivid artwork that captures the power and majesty of trains, this is a fast-paced rhyming ode to the locomotive.
Why I like this book:
- Debut picture book author Andria Rosenbaum has nailed the rhythm and rhyme – I love the pacing that enables the reader/listener to feel like they are on a train.
- Beautiful illustrations…with a slightly muted dreamlike quality!
- And even though this is a book about how trains don’t sleep, I think it would make a perfect bedtime read for young kids because of the wonderful rhythm and circular story.
RELATED ACTIVITIES
Photo courtesy: http://craftulate.com/2016/03/train-crafts-art-ideas.html
- Make sure you chuga-chuga choo choo over to this website…they have the best train crafts for young kids: http://craftulate.com/2016/03/train-crafts-art-ideas.html
- If you live in the city, hop on a train with your child – if you live in the suburbs, check the train schedules and take a ride.
- Visit a train museum if there are any in your region.
Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends…don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of TRAINS DON’T SLEEP.
And please come back tomorrow for:
Will Write for Cookies
With debut picture book author
ANDRIA ROSENBAUM
And I hardly wait for May 11th when I post the #50PreciousWordsforKids stories!
This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
My mother would have loved to read this book to my children as she often told of her train riding days and I think she liked sleeping on them while they clack, clacked along.
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I love this book. The illustration style reminds me of Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown. Beautiful! My son would have loved this about 10 years ago, but he can still appreciate it now.
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This book has a great title and lovely illustrations. And I love rhyming books.
i can’t wait to read it.
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I’ve heard good things about this one. It looks dreamy 🙂 I hope you are enjoying your time in Chicago!
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That rhythm has me hooked already! Can’t wait to read this one! My son lives in Chi-town – enjoy your visit!
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Very cool looking book! And I love the hidden train bath bombs you linked to. I’m going to make those for my train crazy grandson:)
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Woot! Woot! Clang, clang. This book debuts with a bang!
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So much rhythm to this book! The author has done a lovely job of capturing what it’s like to ride a train. I remember those days, so long ago. I have a great grandson who loves trains! Thanks for the suggestion!
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My grandson is infatuated with everything trains.He would love to have this book.
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I love a great debut and this sounds like it fits that bill. I love the rhythm of the story making you feel like you are on a train. I can imagine the illustrations of trains will make many a youngster very happy.
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This books sounds wonderful! My son was a fan of all things trains–even his jammies and bedspread had trains on them. Now my twin toddler nephews are our family’s newest train aficionados. : )
Best wishes with this delightful debut!
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There is something wonderful about taking the train. A ride through the country or into the city, the sights zipping by, the sounds… The word choices the author used in the stanza from Amazon were unexpected and perfect. I especially loved chuffing and never yawning. I’m looking forward to enjoying this book. Thank you!
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What a beautiful book! My son LOVES trains! This will be a must read in our house!
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Wow! You guys are *so* kind and generous. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts about the book.There’s a lot of love behind TDS because I wrote it for my train-obsessed grandson & the illustrator, Dierdre Gill, has a couple of train lovers too. Toot-toot ❤
Andria
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I’ve been longing to bring my son’s old Brio tracks to toddler storytime, but a few of them still put everything in their mouths – but maybe I can read this one to them in the meantime!
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Great book review, Vivian.
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Trains are such an evergreen topic & the combination of trains, sleeping and rhyme sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read this!
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This one looks so fun – because trains, and also it sounds like there’s a strong rhythm in the words. Can’t wait to read it.
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Looks like a wonderful book. My son would love to read it with me!
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