The Little Engine That Could

Starred review from August 22, 2005
Long (I Dream of Trains
) pays respectful homage to George and Doris Hauman's compositions in his visual interpretation of the classic tale of determination and perseverance, first published in 1930. Yet the artist adds a lushness to the spreads and injects even more personality into the characters; he uses the larger format to play up the vistas of mountain and valley that pose such a challenge to the engines on this route, and gives "the funniest little toy clown you ever saw" a starring role. A cheerful purple elephant whose eyes droop as one engine after another declines to pull their load, a pair of pull-toys containing curious giraffes (their necks bow in disappointment) and a cuddly, expressive stuffed monkey are among the supporting cast. The spacious spreads also allow for a more dramatic flow of the text (the original often broke a paragraph in the middle of a climactic moment). Long adorns the different engines with wry human characteristics. The cowcatcher of the haughty Shiny New Engine resembles teeth exposed by a snarl, while the Rusty Old Engine (who says, "I can not. I can not") sports a smokestack in the shape of a dilapidated top hat, a mop of gray hair and a monocle. The pièce de résistance is the brave Little Blue Engine that could, with bright blue eyes in place of windows, a wide smile and—while chugging up that daunting mountain—a pink tongue protruding from her mouth. Both faithful fans and newcomers will enjoy this triumphant ride and eagerly climb aboard for repeat excursions. Ages 3-up.

December 23, 2019
This tale of the little engine who cheers herself on in order to rescue a heavy train remains a bestseller almost a century after publication. For its 90th anniversary, Caldecott Medalist Santat pays homage to the story’s original artwork while giving it his own distinctive polish. His usual sizzling energy is gentled here with warm sunlight and big skies. The train cars have a blocky, streamlined look, and he illuminates the scenes with genuine drama, as when the clown pleads with the Big Freight Engine to pull the train, and the huge train, in inky shadow, bellows “I won’t pull the likes of you!” Though the text is dated (“The good little boys and girls in the city will be happy because you helped us, Little Blue Engine”), Santat’s figures are more inclusive, and the clown and bear and the rest of the animals wear expressions that are more warmly animated and engaging than the stiff toys of the original. The Little Engine has the same cheerful light blue smokestack and cow tender, and a diminutive toy airplane shadows the travelers, soaring through the sky as the stalwart rescuer pulls the train over the mountain and down to the city. Her trainlike “I think I can, I think I can” is as compelling a chant as ever. Ages 3–7.

January 15, 2020
Thinking it can for its 90th year, an old friend receives a shiny new update. Fifteen years after Loren Long's 75th-anniversary interpretation, Caldecott winner Santat tries his hand at this work of classic children's literature. Once more a train filled with toys and goodies for all those "good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain" can only be saved by the smallest, most determined engine of them all. As no part of the text has been changed (the "jackknives" for children remain intact in the train's inventory), Santat's challenge is to bring the engine into the 21st century visually. Now the "funny little clown" is actually small instead of adult-sized, and one of the dolls depicted has brown skin and straight, dark hair (the other is white with Shirley Temple ringlets). In Santat's version, when the Little Blue Engine pulls away from the engine that broke down, one of the toys waves goodbye, and it looks on in relief. Some scenes directly reference the earlier editions, such as a shot of the Little Blue Engine pulling over a bridge as animals run alongside. Kids will enjoy small details, like the toy plane that appears in almost every spread. Adults will enjoy the generous format and Santat's lovingly rendered landscapes. Notes from Dolly Parton and Santat bookend the story. Can you love another update? We think you will, we think you will, we think you will.... (Picture book. 3-6)

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March 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-Watty Piper's classic about the determined little train that accomplishes what bigger, stronger engines could or would not has yet another new look for a new generation. This 90th-anniversary volume is larger and bolder than the classic edition. The cartoony dolls and toy animals should appeal to youngsters used to streaming animated shows and games. Two dolls, a teddy bear, two giraffes, a purple elephant, and a green-haired clown drive the story; there is also a small red and white propeller plane on every spread for readers to spot. Santat captures the train's motion with wind-blown locks or puffs of smoke, and the expressions on the snooty passenger train, the tired Rusty Old Engine, and the eager Little Blue speak volumes. The text is virtually the same as in the original, though broken up in a more seamless manner. There is a foreword by singer Dolly Parton, who chose this beloved title as the first book gifted by her Imagination Library, a program that gives books to children. An afterword by Santat celebrates the message of believing in oneself. VERDICT Due to the size, bold art, and updated language, this new version of an old favorite is perfect for read-alouds.-Barbara Auerbach, Cairo Public Library, NY

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2020
Preschool-G For 90 years, children have enjoyed this classic story of the train with a broken-down engine; the dolls, toys, and clown flagging down passing trains to ask for help; and the three rejections before the Little Blue Engine tries to pull the train over the mountain, chanting I think I can. I think I can, and succeeds ( I thought I could. I thought I could ). This anniversary edition opens with an introduction by Dolly Parton and ends with an illustrator's note by Santat. Both recall hearing the story as children and finding its signature refrain a source of inspiration, comfort, or encouragement. This edition uses the original text, and Santat's new illustrations are big, bold, and dynamic, with childlike touches that make them endearing as well. Each engine has an expressive face, as do the dolls, the animals, and the little clown. A red toy airplane, flying above or alongside the trains, becomes an engaging seek-and-find element for young children. A lively anniversary edition that's well worth adding to picture-book collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)