The Little Red Caboose

by Steve Metzger, Jill Dubin (Illustrator)

A cheerfully illustrated tour through town to the familiar classroom tune includes game cards and six pages of skill-building activities sure to encourage young readers to follow the caboose as it travels around town. Original.

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

About the author

I grew up in Queens, NY in the 1950s with my “baby” sister, Lois. She is now a wonderful writer of young adult novels and nonfiction. My mother was born in Vienna, Austria, and my father came from Brooklyn – an interesting match! My best friends were Neil, Robbie, Krebs, and Paul. I’m still good friends with most of these guys. It was less hectic in those days – no computers, no emails, fewer TV channels (MANY fewer!) We had lots of fun playing ball and listening to records. I’ll never forget when the Beatles came to America – Beatlemania!
After graduating from Baruch College in NYC, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I bounced around doing odd jobs, including taxi driver, dishwasher, and hotel desk clerk. One day, while relaxing in Central Park (OK, I was unemployed), I saw a group of children from a local daycare center. It struck me that I always liked children -- perhaps I could make a career out of something I liked. Eureka! Ever since then, I’ve been involved, in one way or another, with the lives of young children.

I received my Masters in Education from Bank Street College and taught preschool kids for a bunch of years. I loved the childrens' innocence and vivid imaginations. After moving into school administration for a few years, I began working at Scholastic, where I have been ever since.

At Scholastic, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to write children’s books. The first book that I wrote was "The Dinofours: I’m Super Dino!" Twenty-seven other Dinofours’ books followed. I hope my respect and appreciation for young children shines through in my stories.

Nowadays, I’m lucky to be married to my beautiful and talented wife, Nancy (she’s also a writer). In 1998, we were blessed with a terrific daughter, Julia, who helps criticize my story ideas and lets me play with her once in a while.

And furthermore…any recollections of my life would not be complete without mentioning my grandmother, Mutti. She was an ever present source of love, appreciation, and wisdom.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The repetition is very good for young readers.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short and repetitive story about Little Red Caboose is for ages 5-7. Young readers or pre-readers get to see how the caboose travels along behind the train and all the animals aboard. In the back of this book are a rebus picture puzzle, opposite words to match, a game of I Spy; a train maze; words to rhyme with pictures, and a train trip question to answer. Nicely illustrated.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A train chug chugs along in this simple early readers featuring rhyme and repetition.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son read this today. So I'm reading it as well.