A Train Goes Clickety-Clack

by Jonathan London, Denis Roche (Illustrator)

Trains are fast. Trains are sleek. Trains make wonderful sounds as the wheels clatter, boilers hiss, and couplings clang. This playful picture book captures the excitement of trains through evocative language and vibrant illustrations. A little boy and his family are on a special train ride that can't be missed!

A Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Selection

Genres: Picture Books, Trains, Storytime, Transport, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2007

About the author

Jonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, it sucks that all the train personnel are men, except for a stewardess. Why can't I find a train book featuring trains for toddlers with female trains or women conductors or engineers? Trains are big with toddlers. Anyway. It did have babywearing in the book on multiple pages, and there were women in the book (as passengers).

[Ms. Shoshana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a big hit at storytime that it was checked out immediately after. Another out of print treasure.

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

My almost-two-year old enjoyed this train book. The primary colors are appealing, and the train clearly looks like a train (which is important for a toddler who doesn't really grasp more abstract illustrations). The rhythm doesn't always flow perfectly for me when I am reading it out loud, but the sound effects seemed to please my son. We discovered that there is a little yellow bird somewhere on every page, so looking for that bird as we read is a fun side game.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really more appropriate for toddlers than preschoolers, but still could be used for both. This one has very simple text and bright illustrations. It's not my favorite train book, but the kids like it.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third book of London's books using onomatopoeia to convey the ideas of the sounds the trains make. If the young reader is a train enthusiast then they will probably find much joy in having this read to them, or reading it themselves.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad- not my favorite, but perfectly adequate as far as train books go.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at A Day Out With Thomas outreach event - 9/15/2019

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text wasn't too bad, but the illustrator seems to have never seen a modern train or any train tracks.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, bright, colorful illustrations accompany this simple story of a family on a train ride.

[Jessica]

My six year old read this to me (with a little help)!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to find this one at the library because A Truck Goes Rattley Bumpa is one of Santi's all-time favorites, and the one he continues to recite every. single. time. we go over a bump on the road, enter a parking lot, cross railroad tracks, etc. But this one? Not as good for either of us, even though it involves ZOMG TRAINS.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My five-year-old son picked out this book from the library this week. This book has a red spine and he wanted to check out red books.

Because of how this book is illustrated, I thought the all the action was taking place on a model train table. That would have improved this not very exciting story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a little boy - you will love this book. It is perfect - lot's of pictures of trains, not too many words, and onomatopoeia (yep - I looked that one up for spelling accuracy) for making sound effects!

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2 year old loved this book since about 16 months old or so and still really enjoys reading it. It is my favorite train book for the fact that it has bright colors and fun sounds for you to read along with the story.

[Misty Phelan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book of train opposites. Some trains go fast and others go slow. Children enjoy learning differences and what better way than a book about trains. I really think with brilliant colors in the illustrations this book is sure to have any child interested.

[Sha-Quita Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The rhyming text describe the sounds of, and uses for, different kinds of trains. I recommend this book because it is easy-to-read and the illustrations are in bright colors.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rhyming read aloud that includes train-specific vocabulary and vibrant gouache illustrations to showcase the different features of trains.

All of the sound words make this a fun read that informs. Overall, a great introductory picture book about trains that incites interest in the subject.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many kinds of trains are in this book.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

One to One review. Too simple. Better for the very young

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

storytime - trains!

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

About the noises of the train. The pictures tell a story, but not so much the words.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple rhyming train book. I used this with an "On the Move" story time for preschoolers-kids love making train noises!

[Ratforcekids]

This book is a great read-aloud story book complete with all the train noises.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the mix of modern and vintage trains used in this story. Simple rhyming text with lots of great sounds and bright illustrations make this a great choice for toddlers.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good book for a baby storytime with a train theme. Deals with opposites Although the ending is a bit sudden.

[Damera Blincoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used this book for transportation storytime.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son loves this book so I had to give it at least 4 stars. I love the onomatopoeia in it, but twice the rhyming seemed forced...including the last page.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

An introductory picture book on trains with sound effects and London's colorful palette.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bunny Hop Playtime: Trains

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read aloud! Great vocab.