Follow the Track All the Way Back

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Little Train is going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time! But before he goes, his mummy and daddy remind him: "When it's time to come home, no matter how far you are, just follow the track all the way back, where we'll be waiting." So Little Train heads off into the unknown with a clickety-clack... But, when night falls and the track runs out, will he remember what to do? Taking its place beside the classic The Little Engine That Could, young readers will share Little Train's trepidation and excitement in this uplifting and extraordinary read-aloud adventure, and rejoice in the gorgeously atmospheric artwork of illustrator Ben Mantle.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

PreS-K-Owing a clear nod to The Little Engine That Could, The Little Red Caboose and Thomas the Tank Engine, a little train makes his first foray into the world. When night falls, he follows his parents' advice to "follow the track all the way back." Little Train, clearly a stand-in for his preschool counterparts, chugs along happily, testing his newfound freedom until he reaches the end of the tracks and realizes that it is dark and he is far from home. Remembering his parents' advice, he heads home, where he is greeted warmly and feels ready to explore more the following day. Knapman employs simple text, patterns, and sound effects to "chuggga-chug" the story along and encourage engagement and participation. On Little Train's return trip, he retraces his steps and sounds in a series of panels reminiscent of Michael Rosen's We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Mantle's pastel and digital cartoon-style illustrations employ bright colors and anthropomorphized animals and trains. Little Train is bright red with round eyes, freckles, and a snub nose. Mommy Train is lavender and Daddy is green and sports glasses. Full-bleed spreads move the action along, encouraging page turns, and the saturated dark purples and blues of the sunset at the end of the track evoke an emotional response. There is nothing new here in either the story or the pictures, but that very familiarity is likely to entice young train fans ready to test their boundaries. VERDICT A perfect preschool adventure, especially where train books are in demand.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

Little Train reluctantly goes out by himself (except for a hidden mouse companion) and chugs past diverse landscapes and fauna before feeling lonely and returning home. The popular subject matter and onomatopoeia add appeal, but the familiar home-away-home arc falters; confusing matters, Little Train travels left to right throughout the pictures until he arrives at home facing the opposite direction. The digitally manipulated pastel illustrations evoke Thomas the Tank Engine. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

Little Train follows Mommy and Daddy Train's advice to return safely after his first solo journey.There's a vintage feeling to the digitally manipulated pastel illustrations that would make Little Train and his family seem right at home alongside Hardie Gramatky's Little Toot and Watty Piper's Little Engine That Could. The story, too, has a classic feel to it, as Little Train's journey follows a home-away-home plotline. When he sets off from the train shed alone for the first time, Mommy and Daddy Train offer encouragement and the titular advice that he "follow the track all the way back" in order to return home after his journey. He's a bit too excited to let their words sink in at first, and he's soon caught up in enjoying a field he passes through, crossing a bridge, climbing a mountain, and rolling by a river. The palette darkens considerably when Little Train reaches the end of the track and stares out to sea. Rain begins to fall, and Little Train must think back to his parents' advice. He quickly recalls their words, and then retraces his journey home (with a little help from a mouse who operates the railroad switch), proceeding backward through scenes now bathed in moon- and starlight. As promised, Mommy and Daddy Train are awaiting his return, and his success makes Little Train determined to seek out "even BIGGER adventures" the next day. All aboard for a great storytime pick. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.