Niccolini's Song

by Chuck Wilcoxen, Mark Buehner (Illustrator)

Dramatic oil paintings tell the story of Niccolini, a rail yard night watchman who has the ability to sing overworked locomotives to sleep.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2004

Reviews

[S.N. Arly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son chose this himself. While I think he was drawn to the fact that it had trains, he picked a real winner.

This is not your typical train story - it's not about an engineer or a train overcoming adversity. In fact, you never see the trains in motion, though they appear on every page. Reading like equal parts folk-tale and contemporary picture book, this is a story about a night watchman whose ability to listen allows him to hear when a steam engine is worried. A compassionate man, Niccolini comforts the engines, singing them to sleep. In time his songs move beyond the train yard, bringing peace to many in the city.

The illustrations are beautifully done. They are in more subdued blues and shadows, making it less visually stimulating and thus an ideal bed time book. The language is neither sing-songy nor too simple. The lessons of listening and caring are present but not overbearing.

[raccoon reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book! A very good bedtime story. My son loved it :)

[Leeann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a gorgeous book. Peaceful, lovely illustrations and message. I like it for other reasons of course but I’d like it either way!

[William Ginn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my son's favorite book when he was little, and would always put him to sleep.

He's in college now, and we were cleaning out the bookcases to convert his room into an office. We came across it. We re-read it to him sitting on the couch that evening, and like some Pavlovian response, it still put him to sleep.

Its just as good as we remembered it.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole family loved this one

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The train watchman sings sweet lullabies to the trains and to the town.

[Deidra Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and beautiful story. I especially liked the raccoons.

[Terry]

Both of my children enjoyed the book. Upon seeing it, my train-crazed 4-1/2-year-old began jumping up and down. His enjoyment only grew stronger as the story went on. My almost three-year-old daughter liked it as well but was not as engaged, due in large part to the length of the book.

I loved this book. In addition to a great storyline, the illustrations in Niccolini's Song are superb. Very rarely have I seen such detail in a children's book. Mark Buehner creates an inviting nightscape of dim lights, bright stars, and my favorite feature, clouds of elephants, dinosaurs, and other child-friendly inventions, adding a touch of whimsical to this sleepy tale.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Allison Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Son (age 6) says...
"The train says to Niccolini, 'Please, no more whistling,' and the train is amazing because it can talk. Niccolini and the trains sing to help the children go to sleep."

Mom says...
A sweet story about a railyard watchman and a town of sleep-troubled children. The book has old-world charm, and will be a hit with kids who like trains. A refreshing change from over-commercialized Thomas the Tank Engine series. A good bedtime book.

All ages.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niccolini: Railroad Watchman Extraordinaire, above all he is a great listener. He hears the trains lament in the sleepy yard...they need a lullaby to fall asleep before the big day full of hauling freight from here to there. Niccolini's Song is just the right mixture of soothing, calming words. Soon, young mothers all over bring their cranky babies to hear the magical melody of Niccolini.

Used for "An Actor's Life for Me!: Sing, Act, Dance" Storytime- October, 2010.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever been up in the middle of the night with a baby or small child, you'll relate to this book. I personally love hearing the trains go by in the middle of the night. It reminds me of being a kid and drifting off to sleep with the windows open in summer.

[Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book from The Read-Aloud Handbook. Very dark pictures, wouldn't work well for story time. One-on-one would work well. Niccolini sings songs to the trains in the railyard. Mothers start bringing their babies her Niccolini's songs. Sweet.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice story about a man who watches the trains at night. When some of the trains have trouble sleeping, he sings them to sleep. Mothers of fussy children then bring their little ones down to the train yard so he can sing the children to sleep too.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and my boys did too. It is a sweet story, and I like it because it shows the main character, who is a man, in a sweet, nurturing role.

[Colin E.c.]

I love trains. Niccolini sings songs because he sends people to sleep, which is a good thing. I love this book that's all I want to say.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love it.

sweet story.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet perfect book for my house full of train lovin' boys

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I am glad that one of my kids picked it out for us to read it the classroom.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a very special train conductor!!

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about trains and lullabies.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sleepy time book for kids who love anything and everything about trains.