All Aboard! The Best Books for Kids Who Love Trains
by Iva-Marie Palmer
Trains have always conjured a sense of wonder: cross-country journeys, seaside passenger trains in old movies, the long-ago magic of a package making its way from one coast to another by rail. So why shouldn’t they enthrall nearly every child, at least for a little while? Fortunately, there are a wealth of books devoted to trains and their jobs and journeys.
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The Little Train
Part of the Mr. Small series, which includes The Little Fire Engine and Policeman Small, this adventure finds Engineer Small driving his train from Tinytown to the city and back. The workings of the train are detailed for curious readers.
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Locomotive
Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Floca’s book can make a train lover out of anyone. Through rich illustrations and details from the summer of 1869, at the birth of the transcontinental railroad, Floca’s book rolls right along with facts and history for older kids and a free-verse narrative for young train lovers.
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Sleep Train
Available from:Is there a better way to sleep for a locomotive lover than to count train cars? This beautifully illustrated book (each page is a 3D illustration that’s meticulously detailed), the story-within-a-story takes kids to dreamland alongside a little boy who himself is reading a train book before bed. This new entry is sure to be a favorite among train lovers.
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Trains!
Available from:This beginning reader book will introduce fans to trains of all types — from old steam locomotives to fancy modern bullet trains. The Scottish train that stood in for the Hogwarts Express also makes a cameo.
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Steam Train, Dream Train
This sweet goodnight rhyme, from the authors of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, has gorgeous illustrations (animals like polar bears packing a train car full of ice cream while elephants manage tankers of paint). Train fanatics will get a giggle as the song chugs along. You’ll surely memorize it, as this will be read again and again.
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The Little Engine That Could
Available from:A perennial classic, illustrated by Loren Long in this edition, the story of the small but ultimately triumphant train that manages to make it over the mountain is a magical tale for any train lover.
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The Little Red Caboose
You may not spot them in real life anymore, but up until the 1980s, every train had a caboose. And the caboose from the classic Little Golden Book The Little Red Caboose remains one of the leading greats of the literary train world. This adaptation is designed for beginning readers as part of the Step into Reading series.
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Curious George Takes a Train
It’s everyone’s favorite little monkey doing what he does best — getting into trouble that somehow goes just right — on a train ride with his friend, the Man in the Yellow Hat.
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Train
Cooper leaves no train unturned as the story takes readers first on a Commuter Train, then a Passenger Train, then a freight train and a high-speed train as the book journeys from the East Coast to the West.
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Tootle
Available from:The iconic Little Golden Book about a tiny train learning the ropes to achieve his dreams of being a New York-to-Chicago Flyer is a must-have for any train-adoring child. Gergely’s classic illustrations remain a delight more than 70 years after their original debut in 1945.
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Two Little Trains
Brown, the author of Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny, charms kids with the bouncy train-inspired song on the pages of this picture book.
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The Secret Subway
Available from:Don’t stop with above-ground trains: This story of New York’s first subway and its origin is a fascinating one that’s sure to make readers stop in their tracks. It will remind even the most transit-hardened adult that some inventions remain modern miracles.
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Where Do Trains Sleep at Night?
Available from:Judging by the number of train books meant to help kids drift off to sleep, it’s safe to say that trains are supplanting sheep as nighttime aids. But you’ll be asked to read this cute and clever story in waking hours too.
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Thomas & Friends Books
For kids whose train love began with Thomas & Friends in toy form or on the TV show, Rev. W. Awdry’s creation has inspired countless stories. Here are a few highlights:
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Thomas the Tank Engine Story Collection
Before Thomas the Tank Engine was the well-known childhood favorite he’s become, he was an invention of a father trying to delight his son with train tales. With more than 55 total adventures featuring the famous locomotives, including 14 of Awdry’s original Railway Series stories, this massive 508-page collection should do the trick for any fan of Thomas & Friends.
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The Way Engines Work
A train obsession starts with a child being just plain excited to see a train passing outside their car window or, if they’re lucky, to ride one. But admiration often gives way to curiosity and this book helps answer many a train-related question with illustrative help from Thomas & Friends.
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Thomas & Friends Character Encyclopedia
With this encyclopedia, children can learn about all of their favorite characters in the Thomas & Friends crew, including how their unique designs help them best do their jobs. Keep a lookout for fun facts about real-life vehicles throughout the book!
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What are your family’s favorite children’s books about trains? Let us know in the comments below!