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Hop on board and see what's inside the freight train! Slide apart thesturdy pages of this unusual board book to reveal the contents of the cars. Therefrigerator car keeps apples, peaches, and pears cold and fresh, while thetender carries coal that burns in the fire box, and--everyone's favorite--thecaboose holds the train crew that helps deliver the freight. A continuous trackruns through the book, with connecting brightly colored train cars. An appealingconcept, executed simply and pleasingly, Inside Freight Train can't misswith the train-loving masses. Caldecott Honor winner Donald Crews (Truck and Freight Train) has a way withheavy machinery and young readers. (Ages 2 to 5) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Real Pleasure!
My three year old loves this book. I've never seen anything quite like this. The pages actually slide apart to reveal the cargo each train car is carrying. Your child, train crazy like mine or otherwise, is sure to love this innovative book. Be sure to look at other books by Donald Crews, especially "Truck". His illustrations really make all of these books.

classic book made even better
If your child loves trains, you are undoubtedly always on the lookout for railroad-themed books and toys that are a little special -- this is one of them. Alternate pages pull out to reveal the goods that are carried on a freight train -- a novel concept that helps a toddler understand how a bit of the world works. Simple text defines the various types of train cars, and the cover and back illustrations are very nice too. The book is quite durable.

pull up your drink--you'll be reading this one a lot!
Normally I'd be upset if a book fell apart on me like Crews' Inside Freight Train. But the truth is, the book had no chance. From the moment we bought this book our 14-month-old son had to read it. And read it. And read it. Worse, he had to have it read to him. And to him. And to him. I don't know what the guaranteed amount of "pull-outs" the page had, but I'm sure we exceeded them in the first week. No sooner would we turn the last page and slide it back in than he'd sign more and we'd start all over. I stopped counting after 20+ readings in one sitting. The pages slide in and out easily even for little hands. The illustrations are clear and colorful, not overly busy. The amount of text is just right. The interactiveness--being able to pull the pages out, being able to anticipate what will be inside--is a wonderful bonus. Highly recommended. Though I'd also recommend buying two--we eventually did.

Bright and Colorful Treasure
This bright and colorful board book is one above the others. Each sturdy page depicts a car of a freight train. Every other page slides open to reveal the contents of that car. What fun to see toys and books when the purple boxcar is opened! With just the right amount of text, pre-schoolers will delight in discovering what's inside the freight train.

Donald Crews has done it again!
All of Mr. Crews' books are favorites in our house...so it is no suprise that my son, Ben (3), loves this one too! I am buying another copy for my girlfriend's children. I think this man is one of the best authors/illustrators of children's books around. He has a way with beautiful pictures and simple verses that are so pleasing for young children. This book is a little different from his others because of the sliding pages but it only adds to the charm. This book is a winner! Also, check out Freight Train, Flying and School Bus by Donald Crews as well, you won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Book Description

"Clear bright illustrations show all the cars of a train bringing the reader the excitement of movement through day and night, country and city."--Booklist. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Choo Choo Boogaloo. A classic for your bookshelf!
My son's first word was "car". The word "train" was not far behind. He loves this book. He has learned the types of train cars and colors from reading this simple and elegant book (board book version). It is a must have for all children who love trains. Mr. Crew's book truck is terrific but nowhere near as colorful and as filled with speed as this book. Highly recommended!

Great Children's Book
My son got this book for Christmas, because I was so tired of hauling it back and forth to and from the library. There's something about the structure of the book that just mesmerizes him--I think it might be the transition from knowledge and understanding of colors and the names of the cars, to movement of the train through the countryside. It may be a boy thing--he's never cared for the highly verbal books his sister enjoyed so much, but wants this book over and over and over and over. One bonus is that it's relatively short, and appealing enough that I don't mind how often I've had to read it. I highly recommend this book, particularly for parents of preschool boys.

PERFECT
This book is the greatest children's book ever created - it was always my favourite. Simple and elegant images tell the story of the freight train. Highly recommended!

A great starter book
My three year old nephew loves "Freight Train"--it's simple enough that he can "read" it--he's learned the names of the different cars and it reinforces color recognition. The illustrations are big and bold and colorful. A winner!

A cornucopia of visual images
Writing a review for of a children's picture book is, as a rule, somewhat difficult. The simpler the text, the harder it is to come up with something new and original to say. I just read Donald Crews's "Freight Train" because it is widely hailed as a good book for children. The story follows a freight train (after carefully identifying each and every car) driving through hill and dale. Each car has a different color, following the classic Roy G. Biv configuration, culminating with the impressive black steam engine. Viscerally, I liked the detail Crews took in illustrating the page presenting this impressive piece of machinery. Every bolt and curve is outlined in a stately violet tone. Meanwhile, black steam created by coal pours and gushes from the train. This is a book about just how impressive the industrial age really is. The speed of the train is praised to no end, colored cars blurring as the engine picks up speed. Going through cities the rainbow carriages stand out against the stately repetitive buildings on the street. For those children entranced by trains (thank-you, Thomas the Tank Engine, et. al), this book encapsulates everything they might want. Reading it over and over again they'll enjoy the colors and train's increase in speed. Reading it over and over again YOU will enjoy the artist's use of color and form, especially taking pleasure in such scenes as the train's blurred deep tones as it disappears into a tunnel. I'll be honest. I've read more interesting books in my day, and if you are purchasing this book for children that couldn't care less about trains, they may not take to this particular story. But there is something to be said for beauty in all its forms. Even, the coal-burning mechanical kind. ... Read more

Book Description

If each orange has 8 slices and each slice has 2 seeds, how many seeds are there in all? You'll have fun wether you multiply, add or count your way through the math puzzles hiding in the world all around you.

In this companion volume to How Many Snails?, dynamic illustrations and appealing words combine to introduce beginning math concepts and reinforce visual literacy.

Reviews (2)

Each Orange Had 8 Slices: A Counting Book
Cute counting book with colorful illustrations. Gives 3 sets of numbers and asks 3 questions in each "section." Better than average. I would recommend this one for K and 1st grade, as well as teachers and parents.

This book can be used with upper-elementary aged kids too!
This is a wonderful book to use in patterning, multiplication, and creative thinking! I use the book in my classroom in so many ways, with children up to third grade! We read it, then make up our own "Math Riddles" to put into our own class book. Example, Three fish had four fins each, with eight dots on each fin. How many fish? How many fins? How many dots altogether? ... Read more

Book Description

The train tracks ran right by Bigmama's house in Cottondale, and the children were warned to stay off the tracks. But one night they were late, and the tracks were a shortcut, so they started off. And when there was no turning back, they heard the train coming. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Must read
Excellent for writing and using as a model text.

Terrific follow-on for older "Freight Train" fans
Young children may already be familiar with Donald Crews' _Freight Train_. That book introduced them to their colors and each car in the train.

This book is an actual story where real characters have a brush with a freight train. It's a good follow-on to Freight Train because it introduces the concept of trains being dangerous. Shortcut begins with seven (older) children playing far from home, who decide to take a shortcut along the train tracks. As they continue on their walk, the colors hint that danger is coming as the overall tints get darker. Sure enough, a freight train does pull up, and the children must scramble away to safety. Readers of Freight Train will recognize Crews' marvelous engine and car renderings even in silhouette.

This is a also a great book to use for discussion after reading together. Did the children make a wise decision to take the shortcut? Should they have listened to their mother? What do you think they decided to do after the train incident? Crews' book teachers safety without preaching, and also hints at the beginnings of independence away from parents.

Note: this book has the same children as Crews' book "Bigmamma." While "Bigmamma" is not a train book, if your child wants to know more about the characters, this might be your next stop.

Excellent for a Speech Competition
I loved reading this book to my son. The story line, drama and noise effects would be EXCELLENT for any student to present in a Speech Competition.

A Vivid Adventure for Preschoolers and Beginning Readers
This is an excellent book. I am an artist, so I especially appreciated the illustrations, which are beautiful as well as exciting to look at! The illustrations and story combine to make it seem like a real-time adventure, as though you are really there with the children. My four-year-old loves this book. We have had many interesting conversations about the reactions of the children to their adventure, and why they did the things they did. For example, why were the children scared? What did they do when they were afraid? Should they have listened to their Mama? Etc. We were first introduced to it by checking it out at our library, and now I am going to purchase it for us. You will enjoy this book alot.

It's my son's favorite book.
This is a great book. It is by far my sons favorite book and he has practically got it memorized by now! I started reading it to him when he was less than one year old and he could enjoy the over-large pictures and special sound effects if nothing else. One time when he was in his twos I accidentally stopped in the middle of a sentence to sneeze or something and I was astounded to hear him finish the sentence for me! I tested him and discovered that he knew the last word of just about every phrase and sentence. Since then it's been a game with us where I start the sentence and he finishes it. Donald Crews has a prose style that is well adapted to this kind of memory game, it is rhythmic, somewhat repetitive and driving - like the train itself. We are fortunate to live in Japan where a busy train track runs near our house. Thus he has developed a love of trains from birth and the book and real life can interact and reinforce each other. I feel sorry for kids who can't experience trains in their daily life, but this book goes a long ways towards filling the gap. My hats off -- and my warmest thanks go -- to Donald Crews for a wonderful experience. ... Read more

Book Description

A is for seed, B is for eggs, C is for milk -- what's going on here? The seed is tomorrows Apple, the eggs are tomorrows Birds, the milk is tomorrows Cheese! Explore a wonderful world of possibility with an imaginative alphabet puzzle that encouraged young readers to look beyond the obvious.

... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great with predicting!
This book is great to use for predicting outcomes. I just fold that second page back, read and show the first page, and then have the students guess what the second page might be. My students are 6th grade and they really enjoyed it. Some predictions were very easy, however, some really made you think.

Innovative!
My 4 year old daughter loved this book when I got it from the library. I first thought that it might be a bit confusing for her but she understood it perfectly and has memorized the entire thing. This book is definately a keeper.

This is a wonderfully delightful book!
I loved the way the author approached the alphabet by first telling what the article was in its beginning, i.e. A is for seed, tomorrow's Apple. ... Read more

Book Description

"On a deep-blue background, the words 'blue sea' appear...and then the first of Crews's eye-filling paintings....The author and illustrator of Rain have invented another winner."--Publishers Weekly. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Resource to Help Teach Comparatives/Superlatives
"Blue Sea" is a delightful book to help the beginner/elementary reader learn simple comparative and superlative adjectives. "Small," "Smaller," "Smallest," and "Big," "Bigger," "Biggest" are mentioned in this 21 page story which averages about 3-4 words per page. The text is large, and the visuals are simple, colorful, and uncluttered.

children learn a variety of concepts while having fun
I work with small children as a speech therapist and have found that this book teaches many different concepts in only a few pages. The little ones request it over and over again, even those who cannot yet ask verbally. The text is crisp and concise, and the pictures invite children to offer comments throughout the book. It is possible to read this book over and over and discuss many different concepts while having a lot of fun. I am on my way to wearing out my second copy. ... Read more

Book Description

When the train arrived in Cottondale, the summer at Bigmama's house in Florida began. Donald Crews brilliantly evokes the sights, sounds, and emotions of a memorable childhood experience. "A very special book by a superb artist and storyteller."--Horn Book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A warm oportunity to reflect on special people and places.
Donald Crews departs from his usual simple text about such things as trucks and boats to share his childhood memories. The bold and colorful illustrations we usually find in his work are replaced by soft gentle colors and lines. Perhaps my endearment to this book stems from my own fond memories of riding the train back to my grandmother's home in Davenport, Iowa. Yet, there is more to this story than shared memories of days gone by. Even young children have memories of warm moments with someone special. As a first grade teacher I share this book with my students. It is a delight to see the special smiles that illuminate their faces, like the sweet smell of Spring, when they think of their special someone. For some children they think, like Crews, of grandma and her special cooking, for others their thoughts are of a visit to mom in a distant state. There thoughts are not meloncholy, like Crews, they are pleasant reminders of the treasures we find in each other. ... Read more

Book Description

Follow the big red truck on it's cross-country journey in Donald Crew's classic wordless book, perfect for sharing with the very young.

Reviews (7)

Wonderful book to enhance your child's imagination!
This is a wonderful book! I was a bit apprehensive about buying it because it includes no text. However, this has quickly turned into a bedtime favorite at our house. My son received it when he was about 18 months old and a year later, he still requests it by name. We look at the pictures and he is able to tell me what is happening on each page and he often makes up a story about what he sees. This book takes you on a journey across the country with a truck carrying bicycles. You see the truck drive in fog, rain, in traffic and (my son's favorite) through a tunnel. My son has learned some basic traffic signs, shapes and even directions (left, right, up, down) with this story. I highly recommend it!

Perfect for kids who resist reading!
I bought this book when my son was 18 months old. He had NO interest at all in sitting still to look at books. He took one look at all those TRUCKS and was transfixed. From the day I brought this book home he showed a greater interest in his other books and at 3 1/2 he is an avid "reader".

Great, colorful book!
I wasn't sure whether or not my son would enjoy the textless book but it has quickly become his favorite book! It is so bright and colorful and encourages me to make up different stories each time I read it to him.

Beep Beep Beep Beep yeh!
When I ask my 3 year old son Charlie to choose three books for bedtime reading, this book is invariably chosen from his truck shelf of books. The book documents a tractor trailer's trip, using signs, light signals and lots of traffic and highways. He loves it and so do I. This book also won a Caldecott Medal for illustrations when it was first published. Highly recommended.

A great book for pre-schoolers
This small children's book about a large delivery truck traveling on the highways is told without words and was a 1981 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a children's book. Little children really enjoy following the truck to its final destination. ... Read more

Book Description

First published in 1968, Ten Black Dots is a counting book, a book of simple rhymes, and a book of everyday objects.

Reviews (1)

Ten black dots that stir the imagination
This is a fun book for young children. With the large pictures and font, the book begs to be touched and held and read! It could be used to reinforce a math lesson on counting objects. Afterward, the teacher/parent could give each child ten black dots, crayons, and paper and have them use their imagination to see what they could make. I think every young child should have a chance to hear or read this book! ... Read more

Book Description

What is large (or small), bright yellow, and filled with students? School Bus!

Climb aboard and let Donald Crews take you to school -- and home again.

Reviews (3)

A favorite with my toddler
School buses are very bright, distinctive, and sometimes mysterious things to a toddler. In the story, we see what "a day in the life of a bus" is like. Buses have homes. People have homes. Buses stop. People stop. It's a wondeful analogy that she understands.

Donald Crews' books are favorites around the house because of their very colorful pictures and simple text. Also recommended: Freight Train, Parade.

My 18-month old LOVES this book!!!
The pictures are very bright and crisp and include every day scenes from any town with a school. The sentences are simple and this peek at "a day in the life of a school bus" probably clears up a lot of questions for any child who wonders where those big buses are headed!

preschoolers love this book
This is a favorite of my preschoolers. The simple text is a great tool for teaching concepts including opposites. We would count the schoolbuses on the first page and discuss other concepts on every page. Children at this age love to read themselves(whether they recognize the words or not)and the simple text in Schoolbus allows them to read the book with ease. For children who ride a bus or may soon ride a bus, it becomes a personal story about their experience. I am purchasing it for my one year old along with several of Crews other books. ... Read more

Book Description

A series of simple questions directs young readers to determine the differences between seemingly similar objects, encouraging them to develop powers of observation, discrimination, and visual analysis. There's plenty of opportunity to practice counting, too (but that's just the beginning!). With eye-catching, bold illustrations by a two-time Caldecott Honor-Book recipient.

Book Description

First there is a sunflower.

Seasons pass ... and soon there is a patch of sunflowers.

Budding young gardeners will discover that what makes this happen is not magic - but is most definitely magical.

Reviews (1)

Good Read-aloud science book for early grades!
A wonderful read-aloud book for Pre-school through grade 2. Children love the rhyming repetitive verse and with the bold, beautiful illustrations by Donald Crews it will keep an entire classroom's attention. Very good book for a science unit on seeds. It's hard to find fun things to compliment a lesson on seeds, but this book fills that gap. Every elementary school library should have this book in their collection. ... Read more

Book Description

It's time! The gates are open, the rides are spinning-come to the fair! Nighttime at the fair is magic with Caldecott Honor-winning author-artist Donald Crews. The sky goes dark and the colored lights begin to flash and sparkle. There are games to play and treats to eat. From the top of the Ferris wheel you can see where you've been-and where you have yet to go. So much to do and see. Hurry! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My four-year-old adores this book
We found this book at the library, and my four-year-old was delighted by it. He loves fairs, especially roller coasters and merry-go-rounds, and was sad when we had to return to this book to the library. Donald Crews' book School Bus is another favorite of his, and we've already added it to our collection. I intend to give a copy of Night at the Fair to my child for Christmas.

Crews does it again!
As a teacher and mother of three children I recommend this book. I want parents to remember that there need not be tons of text for a book to be a real learning expereince.Take the time to look at the illustrations and colors. Predict what is going to happen.We are lucky to have so many talented people to illustrate kid's books. Again, take the time to look and examine the pictures. Books that the parents do not like will probably not be liked by their children.

Disappointing on several levels
I am puzzled as to why this book is recommended for children ages 4-8. There is minimal text, and what text there is does little to advance the story line. The illustrations are eye catching from a distance, but up close are actually rather frightening--the people's faces are amorphous and blobby. My two children (ages 5 and nearly 4) love going to the fair, but they don't love this book.

Disappointing on several levels
I am perplexed as to why the reading level for this book is given as ages 4-8. The text is so minimal as to be almost useless in introducing young kids to the sights and sounds encountered at a fair. The illustrations, although bright and eye-catching at first glance, are actually rather scary if you scrutinize them. The people's faces are amorphous and blobby. My two young daughters (ages 5 and nearly 4) love fairs, but they are only lukewarm about this book. ... Read more

Book Description

"With minimal text and bright-color illustrations, Crews captures the essence of a plane journey."--Kirkus Reviews. "A satisfying adventure for very young children."--Booklist. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Donald Crews is a genius!
I highly recommend all of Mr. Crews' books. He writes in a style that is very easy for toddlers and pre-schoolers to relate to. Furthermore, his illustrations are positively delightful! However, I recommend this book even more because it was instrumental in easing my son's fear of flying and airplanes. I bought this book and read it to him before our airplane trips and I take it on the airplane and read it to him there as well. As the plane is in the various stages of flight, I show him that part of the book. I am not kidding, we went from a toddler who had to be carried on to the plane kicking and screaming to a kid that is excited about airtravel!

Great for toddlers about to fly
My 2 year old daughter loves this book, so I am buying a copy to take with us on an upcoming plane trip. She loves to hear it over & over, and I think it will give her a better understanding of what will happen when we are flying (especially the waiting on the runway). For Crews fans, take a look for pictures in this book representing well known Crews books (Freight Train, Truck, School Bus, etc.) Once I recognized one, I enjoyed looking for others.

Great for toddlers!
My 21 month old son loves this book! This is great for a child who is already interested in planes. The text is very simple, which makes it easy for a young child to "read"; simply by describing what he/she is seeing in the picture. The illustrations are also very clear and colorful.

My daughter enjoys this
My toddler really loves Donald Crews' books because they're very colorfully illustrated and the wording is minimal. She especially likes this book because she's been flying in a small plane several times and can "see" what's going on. What's especially fun is seeing how quickly she picks up what's going on in the text.

Also recommended Donald Crews' books: Freight Train, Parade.

Simple but pleasing for a small child.
Each picture has from one to four words describing it - from boarding to landing a plane, from the viewpoint of one watching, not riding. My son has every page memoraized! This is a good, simple book for a toddler who likes planes. There is not much 'meat' to the book; it's not meant to educate about planes or dazzle with rhythm or rhyme. ... Read more

Book Description

It's a perfect day for sailing. Motor under the bridge, putt . . . putt . . . putt past the lighthouse, put up the sails, and whoosh! But watch out for a change in the weather. Seas will swell and waves will crash before you sail back home.

Reviews (2)

Sail Away with this wonderful book
My 3 year old son loves this book. He often goes sailing with his Uncle in Sydney Harbour. This book helps him recall those special times with his Uncle. He adds to the story with his own memories. We have checked this book out from the library twice, and I now think that it is something that we need to buy.

Needs more Story
The illustrations tell an emotional story of sailing, but the text is a little thin to hold the interest of a young child. The style of story-telling utilizing visual effect to create all the drama misses the opportunity to build an engrossing tale around the art. It took about 10 minutes with my 6 yr od son to "finish" this book. ... Read more

Book Description

"Showing the same dynamic energy and brilliant colors as in Freight Train and Truck, the author-artist conveys the breathless anticipation and delighted enjoyment generated by a parade."--Horn Book. ... Read more

Book Description

A counting book
for the youngest --
filled with motion,
excitement, and
suspense. Twelve
riders compete
in a bicycle race.
Who will win?
(A word to the wise:
Keep your eye
on Number 9!)
... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Endurer Wins!
This story seems to be about a simple bicycle race; butit'sdeeper than that. This story exemplifies the power of endurance.A race where all contestants are riding bicycles. Fair enough exceptone of the contestants has to stop to fix their bike. They don't just fix the bike and return to the beginning of the race giving up; but they instead continue in the race not only to finish -that was an encouragement in itself-but to go on to win really says a lot. This is an excelent story to encourage our youth to continue on no matter what problem you can not only make it but be successful. This story says don't go on trying to just finish your course. Instead acknowledge that you have a problem, handle it and move on to obtain your prize. We all no the the saying that derived from the scriptures about how the race isn't given to the swift nor the battle to the strong but to he that endureth till the end. This book, again, tells me that I don't only get to finish the race but I can be a winner in the race. To God be the Glory! ... Read more

Book Description

All the color and action of liners, tankers, tugs, barges, ferryboats, and fireboats in a harbor are presented in this exciting visual adventure. "Harbor is a picture book, and a great one at that. Every library will want it."--School Library Journal ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fun things to find!
If you look carefully, you can find the truck from his book, TRUCK, in this book. Also keep an eye out, each of Donald Crews' books has the date he finished it hidden somewhere within the book. Also, you can find several familiar female names on the boats if you've read other books of his. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone knows that one is one. But can ONE be more than one? Absolutely! ONE PAIR is always two; ONE WEEK is seven days; and ONE DOZEN is always twelve. And that's just the beginning of this brilliant and original counting book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A mystery to me, no mystery for my 18 month old
My 18 month old just loves this book. Perhaps it is because we started reading this book and learning how to holding up "one" finger at the same time. ... Read more

Book Description

Blue sky. Yellow sun. White clouds. Then, suddenly, gray clouds. Gray sky. RAIN. Using bold graphics and few words, Rain explores concepts like weather, colors, and a changing landscape. It's a book for very young readers to enjoy and learn from, rain or shine. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Learning to read with color and clues
My daughter is using this book now to learn how to read. She enjoys it very much... especially because the coloration of the text to match the images in the picture gives her clues about what the words are.

I think the book is neat from its style (using the word "rain" written on an angle to be the rain) and its vibrant use of colour.

The book was about colors, rain and nature.
Michael liked the part when the rainbow came out. It was colorful. Casey liked the same part. I like rainbows.

Wonderful for teaching colors!
This easy to read book has predictable and repetitive language. It teaches colors as well as everyday objects. It is a great book for young readers! ... Read more