Synopses & Reviews
All aboard as we travel through the Colorado wilderness on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with this bright, bold, and exciting picture book about steam engines.
Founded by the Denver and Rio Grande Railway in 1880, the Durango and Silverton Railroad was used originally to haul silver and gold from the San Juan Mountains. Through the years, this railroad has established a unique history. During WW II its equipment was used to process uranium for use in the war, and in the 1960's it was used as a sight for several Hollywood movies, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
In TRAINS, Kuklin captures the life of these old steam engines with extraordinary photographs and engaging text. She offers informative descriptions about the history of the
Review
Publishers Weekly
(December 22, 2003; 0-439-45583-9)
Kuklin's (How My Family Lives in America) photo-essay documents the passage of vintage steam locomotives (Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauges, to be precise) as they chug through the Colorado Rockies and across a series of crisply designed, strongly horizontal spreads. Brief captions trace the journey and drive home the sound effects: "Onto the trestle/ Over the river/ Clickety-clack/ Along the track" (all train noises are set in oversize, color 1890s-style type). Pages alternate from one bold color to another, while borders along the top and bottom of the spreads effectively echo train tracks. In Kuklin's most impressive photograph, the train snakes around a cliff at 7,200 feet above sea level, as sun glints off the striations and corrugations of rock. While the youngest trainspotters may be enthralled by the sight of a steam locomotive in action, older picture book readers may be less satisfied. The photographs do not coalesce into an effective narrative arc, and often-even in the cliff shot-the light casts such harsh shadows that the black locomotive is partially or totally obscured. A final spread offers various facts about the engine, including the meaning behind various train whistle patterns. Ages 4-8. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
(December 1, 2003; 0-439-45583-9)
PreS-Gr 1-Young train enthusiasts will love this title. The five Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge steam engines still in operation are expertly photographed "at various locations along their route in the Colorado Rocky Mountains." The crisp, full-color photos are accompanied by short descriptive phrases such as, "Ring the bell/All Aboard!/Whoo-whoo/Ready to go." The trains are shown close up and at a distance, against stunning backgrounds, and the text is rhythmic: "Going back/Along the track/Clickety-clack/Along the track." The large illustrations will capture children's attention. Train facts are included in the back.-Melinda Piehler, Sawgrass Elementary School, Sunrise, FL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Synopsis
Travel through the Colorado Rocky Mountains on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with this extraordinary portrayal of some of America's oldest steam engines. ALL ABOARD! captures the essence of these majestic machines against a landscape that is breathtaking, inspiring, and legendary. Children will feel transported to another time and place as they come to know the personalities of these "fire-breathing dragons." Kuklin's photographs provide us with an in-depth look at these historic steam engines and a panoramic view of America's wilderness.
About the Author
Susan Kuklin, the author and photographer of many books for children and young adults, has always been passionate about dance. Her book DANCE, WITH BILL T. JONES received several starred reviews, and was hailed by The New York Times as "...a child's catalogue of pleasures and possibilities." Ms. Kuklin's book REACHING FOR DREAMS: A BALLET FROM REHEARSAL TO OPENING NIGHT was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.