In my excitement in posting about my interview with JJ from S.W. Lothian’s Quest Series and the fact that I DEMOLISHED my schools Accelerated Reader record… Did I mention I got 1503.9 A.R. points and the old record was 945?… I forgot to announce the winner of the copy of “Lotto’s Super-Awesome Unbelievable Park Adventure” by Jan Ellen Ferrigan that I am giving away to celebrate Children’s Book Week.
The winner (drawn out of a hat by Josie) is
Nena Challenner!!!
Congratulations Ms. Challenner! I will be emailing you to get your address to send the book to you! If you didn’t win, you can find out where to purchase the book on Ms. Ferrigan’s website HERE or find it on Amazon HERE.
On to Perfect Picture Book Friday!
Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because this is a beautiful bedtime book and the illustrations are WUNDERBAR (my new word I learned from Julie Rowan Zoch) ;)!
Steam Train, Dream Train
By Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
4 – 6 years – 40 pages
Published by Chronicle Books on April 16, 2013
Theme/Topic – animals/trains/bedtime
Opening and Synopsis –
“Through the darkness, clickety-clack…
Coming closer, down the track…
hold your breath so you can hear
huffing, chuffing drawing near.”
The dream train pulls into the station and the animal workers load the train with bouncy-balls, pogo-sticks, ice cream, hoola-hoops and other fun toys! Everything needed for sweet dreams!
Why I liked this book –
First of all, look at those GORGEOUS illustrations! They’re wonderful! LOOK! –
Can you NOT love that??? Other than that, the rhyme is magnificent! I love the onomatopoeia in it and it sounds like the chug chug of a train. I like that it teaches the purpose of each train car! (ex: “The autorack will gently keep these fast, fast cars”…) I think it is imaginative to see all the sweet dream things the animals load onto the train. It will definitely give kids things to have nice dreams about!
Activities and Resources –
You can color what you think the dream train is bringing you in your sleep. I found this train coloring page on the Krafty Kidz blog! Click HERE to get it!
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!
Share this:
Categories: Age 1-5, Age 6-9, Perfect Picture Book Friday
Wow! Congrats on meeting your goal and demolishing the record!!!
I LOVE this PB — just bought a copy for my great-nephews. As you said, great illustrations and fabulous rhyming text. A magical book for sure . . . thanks for the wunderbar review. 🙂
Thank you Ms. Rattigan! I just love this book!
Those illustrations GLOW – thanks for the introduction. Congratulations to Nena – and especially to you for reaching the (UNBELIEVABLE) goal you set for yourself!
The illustrations are awesome! I think it’s cool how they are all at night but you can see all the details! Thank you! 😀
The coolest thing about these illustrations (to me) is the funky texture throughout – check it out!
Oops – replied to the wrong comment!
😀
Saw this book online the other day and wondered if girls would like it? Was thinking about my 7 year old granddaughter. I love the theme of this story. And, I’m a sucker for Tom Lictenheld’s gorgeous illustrations! The book sounds like fun.
I think any kid would LOVE it because it lets them see all the nice things dreams are made of. 😉
Well done Erik! I can’t believe how often you post a book like one I’m working on. Mine is Slow Train and has lots of fast animals on it taking it easy. So similar but yours is way better. Have a great weekend!
I LOVE that book idea idea Ms. Johnson! Good luck with it!
I am excited to read this one. Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, by the same team, is a favorite around here so we need to check this one out.
I think you’ll like this one too!
What a fun way to learn about railroad cars. I can see why you like the illustrations, Erik. Thanks for sharing this!
It is neat to see what each car holds and does! 🙂
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on surpassing your goal for Accelerated Reader Points. That is absolutely AWESOME!
And the book sounds great! Steam trains are definitely “the stuff of which dreams are made.” Just the thought of the chuff-chuff of them is a dreamy thought. Where might they be going? What might they hold? Thanks for sharing this book with us.
Thank you! I was a little afraid I would get some questions wrong (I should not have to have to make my goal on the LAST day).
The rhyme in the book sounds like the chug chug of a train, it’s pretty cool. 🙂
Congratulations Eric on your AR points, but you deserve a special congratulations for winning the Can’t Sleep Without Sheep Jingle contest! Well done sir!
Your picture book this week looks wonderful! My son loves trains. We live about a quarter mile from the railroad tracks so we get to see them a lot!
Thank you Ms. Dent!
Thanks cool you live near trains! I always love to watch them go by. I think your son will love this one!
Reminds me a bit of The Polar Express! I’ll have to check it out. Thanks.
I have a confession. I never read the Polar Express. When I was younger I watched the movie and the animation creeped me out for some reason. I never finished watching the movie and I never read them book because of it. Maybe I should give it a try (the book I mean). I hope you like this one!
I had the same response as Barbara. I love Lichtenheld’s fabulous illustrations and what great rhyme!
I do think the illustrations and the rhyme in this one is PERFECT! 😉 Thanks Miss Marple!
Congrads on your win over at Susanna’s, Erik! And to your sister too. Great job to the both of you!
The illustrations in this book are fantastical! And oh that rhyme. I wish I could rhyme like that. *sigh*
YaY on your AR points. I homeschool my kids, but I understand a little about that from moms who have their kids in public school. What an achievement.
Thanks Ms. Campbell!
I agree, the illustrations are fantastical and I wish I could rhyme even a little like that…
That is cool you home school! I go to public school, but I take a lot of home-schooling classes at home too (foreign languages, geography, and engineering) just because public school doesn’t offer that stuff and I want to learn it!
Congrats on smashing your old record, Erik.
Those illustrations truly are wunderbar 😀
Congrats #1 on blasting the AR record (I think it will be a while before it’s broken again…maybe Josie?…) and Congrats #2 on winning Susanna’s contest!! Steam Train sounds fun – and illustrations look great.
Oh it will get broken again – next year when I beat 1503.9! hee hee
Josie beat her goal as a second grader. They were supposed to read 20 points and she got 31!
Thank you for the congrats! 😉
I think you would LOVE this book!
Congratulations on demolishing the record, Erik! I knew you could do it 🙂 This book looks fantastic! I love Tom Lichtenheld’s illustrations! Fun activity too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you Ms. Hill!
I am glad you like my pick! 😀
This is sure a big week for you Erik! AR records, video stardom, what’s next?! This book looks dreamy. I love that RHYTHM in the verse. It would surely put me to sleep! I’ll have to check this one out! Thanks!
Thank you Rhythm! 😀
This book has a LOT of RHYTHM!! 🙂
As you know Erik, I am a great lover of rhyme. This book looks delightful.
I think you would love the rhythm of the rhyme in this book Dr. Clune!
congratulations Erik on beating the AR points record. Go You!
Love that book. The illustrations are so rich and colourful. The rhyme is beautifully done. Thank you so much for sharing this one. A lovely review as always.
Thank you Ms. Tulloch!
I am glad you like my pick!
Erik, you are so right about the illustrations…they are fantastic! I love the rhyme also. Sounds like a dreamy 🙂 train book. And the activities are great!
Thanks Ms. Kirkfield!
Just the fact that you made mention of “the onomatopoeia in it and it sounds like the chug chug of a train” makes me want to pick up a copy of this book right away. Sounds like a lovely picture book, Erik! Thanks for sharing possible activities as well. I have never grown tired of coloring books/activity sheets. Love them.
I think you will love this book Dr. Bacsal!
Congratulations on your AR record! I knew you would do it!
Thank you Mrs. Meyers!
Wowsie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is AR history for sure!!!! It should be carved in stone 🙂
And this book! I loved Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and I feel I will love this one, too! Can’t wait to read it! Thanks for a dreamy review!
WOOT WOOT! My principal congratulated me at lunch today! 🙂 I think you’ll love this book Ms. Klosermann! 🙂
this book looks great! I think I’ll read it on the train!
🙂