This review is part of the Read Across America write off hosted by me; Debbie26. A list of other participants can be found at the end of this review.

The Little Engine That Could is a wonderfully uplifting book for children of all ages. It is fun and easy to read, has beautiful illustration, and has a positive message for children.

The story is about a little train trying to carry tons of toys to all the good boys and girls. When the train is faced with an impossible challenge, a towering mountain, it seems that the toys won't make it to all those boys and girls. There is a Shiny New Engine and a Big Strong Engine but all they say is that they can't do it. But the Little Engine has decided to give it a try. By using positive thinking and hard work this little engine believes that it can do it, and believing is half of the battle. The words "I think I can, I think I can" are inspiring and will stick with a child whenever they are faced with a difficult task to accomplish. The moral of this story is that you can do anything you put your mind to. What a powerful statement for positive thinking!

The Little Engine That Could was a favorite of mine as a child and I knew when I had children that I would have to read them this book. It is a classic story that has withstood the test of time. Even today, children find the story entertaining and can learn a positive lesson from it.

My children really enjoy reading this and I find that they understand the meaning behind the story. Whenever they are faced with an unsurmountable challenge they will say "I can do it, just like the little engine". I wish that everyone could have this same outlook. This is the type of story that will never grow old and can always be related to a child's real life. It is a lesson that a child can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

There is a bit of controversy about The Little Engine That Could. Some believe that the most popular telling of this story, published in 1930 by Platt & Munk, was not the original. There have even been lawsuits filed over the copyrights. Also, it is believed that the Watty Piper who wrote the newer version never really existed but was a pseudonym for Platt & Munk. Also, another version is said to show aspects of the feminist movement since it has assigned genders to the engines (the Little Engine being female while the unhelpful ones are Male). The original version doesn't assign any gender to the engines. For more information about the various controversies surrounding The Little Engine That Could you can go to these two web sites http://tigger.uic.edu/~plotnick/littleng.htm or http://www.penguinputnam/static/packages/us/yreaders/LittleEngine/

The Little Engine That Could
by Watty Piper
Illustrated by Doris and George Hauman
Published by Grosset & Dunlap
June 1978
Hardcover; 37 pages
List Price $7.99
ISBN: 0448405202



Read Across America Day is a celebration sponsored by The National Education Association as a way to honor what would have been Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday. To learn more about Read Across America Day and other events planned throughout the year go to Seussentennial web site http://www.seussentennial.com

Thanks to everyone who participated in this write off!
wifeofvolsfan - My Book About Me
kamel622 - Hop On Pop
vbanuelos
ed_grover - King & King
Jadzia66 - How The Grinch Stole Christmas
marybatson - The Foot Book
artemis8 - Yertle The Turtle
sleeper54 - Daisy-Head Mayzie
dramastef - Nina's Waltz
Debbie26 - Green Eggs & Ham
brendan2 - Butter Milk
Kelly60 - Paul Bunyan
damieng - Best Nest



Recommended: Yes