Love from the Little Engine That Could

by Watty Piper, Jill Howarth (Illustrator)

Ring in Valentine's Day--and love--with Love from the Little Engine That Could ! This charming original title, featuring everyone's favorite little train is the perfect gift for that special someone on Valentine's Day--or any day of the year.

The Little Engine That Could is turning ninety! And now this special gift book, complete with beautiful illustrations and timeless messages of belief and acceptance, is the perfect way to tell a loved one that they can do anything they set their minds to.

Genres: Trains, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published December 24, 2019

About the author

Pseudonym for the Platt & Munk publishing house.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 STARS The illustrations are cute and the Little Engine is recognizable though it doesn't have the detail and charm of the original. The text is very, very short. Like, you cold read it in thirty seconds. Also, something that really stayed with me from the original Little Engine that Could (which I loved) is that she could *all by herself* No one else bothered, no one else cared, but despite her littleness, she stepped up and helped when none of the bigger, fancier engines would do it. Her empathy compelled her into more strength than she had known before. She believed in herself when no one else did. She didn't let the opinion of others define her. I thought it was really special that a book published in that era had a strong female character successfully taking on that big job (a job several male engines snubbed). I viewed her as a positive character. Indeed, some readers consider her an early feminist hero. Meanwhile, others view the book more negatively, and feel she was already downtrodden and then coerced into doing even more work whereas the male engines set healthy boundaries. (Interestingly, in some earlier versions of the tale, the little engine was male.) Well, in this little book, the Little Engine counts on other engines and is always in company with them. "Even when things look dark... and the hill is steep... you always give me the push I need" ... "together we can do anything" It's a nice message that we can all help one another and that we don't always have to be strong and do things on our own, that friendships are important, that community is important (reading this during the COVID-19 quarantine brings special poignancy to this). But, it's also just so different from the original story I guess I was a little surprised. Near the end, the Little Engine says, "In the cold... or in the heat...You make me... me!" It is hard to think of the Little Engine from the first book saying that--if she had allowed others to define her in the first book, she never would have done what she did! To what extent do/should our relationships define us? Who knew a Little Engine would provide such springboards for conversation? ;-)

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A touching love letter from the Little Engine That Could. It covers the realization that everyone needs some help along the way.

[Elizabeth]

Sheldon would like this book.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I adore The Little Engine That Could, this sad excuse for a child’s book is a chance for someone to profit of the original classic without doing any real work.

[Andrés · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love letter from baby engine to a parental figure. I don't really agree that a parent can "make me, me." This ode didn't land for me.