Whoosh and Chug!

PreS-Gr 1--Whoosh is a sleek, fast passenger train who rushes past Chug, a small, cautious freight train. Hurtling at breakneck speed, Whoosh pays no heed to his danger signal and ignores his "slowpoke" pal's warning of trouble on the track ahead. While waiting patiently at the light, Chug hears cries of distress, and he helps by carefully clearing the tracks. Thanking his friend, Whoosh remarks, "You might have to work slowly, but you are very quick to come to the rescue!" Braun's characters are brightly hued with big round eyes, smiling faces, and rosy cheeks. The straightforward text conveys Chug's determination and perseverance. Train fans will enjoy this tale of a steady little engine who triumphs.--Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

The idea that slow and steady wins the race doesn't only apply to tortoises and hares—it also holds true for trains. First published in the U.K. in 2012, Braun's story follows two earlier vehicular buddy tales, Toot and Pop! and Digger and Tom! Chug the engine "works hard collecting and delivering heavy freight," while Whoosh, a passenger train, loves to speed down the track; after Whoosh races into an area that's being worked on, Chug comes to the rescue. While the overall feel is that of a generic cousin to Thomas the Tank Engine, Braun's clean, telegraphic illustrations and bright palette have plenty of eye-catching appeal on their own. Ages 4-8. Agency: The Bright Agency. (June)