All Aboard the Alaska Train

by Brooke Hartman (Author) John Joseph (Illustrator)

All Aboard the Alaska Train
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

★ "It's hard to imagine a more appealing picture book for introducing young children to the varied landscapes and wild animals of Alaska." - Booklist STARRED REVIEW

"A rousing, rhyming tour of Alaskan wildlife and scenery." - Kirkus Reviews

"A cheerful ode to Alaska . . . that is sure to leave readers demanding, "Again!"" - School Library Journal

Toot toot! Come aboard the Alaska Train for a rollicking rhyming adventure with Alaska's favorite animals!

Five shiny train cars roll down the railroad track, picking up passengers along the way--a porcupine, grizzly bear, caribou, and more. Soon the cars are packed, but now the train must go up a tall mountain. Will the Alaska Train reach its destination?

All Aboard the Alaska Train takes you on a rumbling journey as you zoom across the tracks and meet some of the state's most famous animal residents. Included at the back is a glossary of the parts of a train, plus more information about the famous Alaska Train and a map of its route.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

ALA/Booklist

Starred Review
It's hard to imagine a more appealing picture book for introducing young children to the varied landscapes and wild animals of Alaska.

Kirkus

For budding train enthusiasts, animal lovers, and nature buffs.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--Rhyming railroad fun until it's done is what this book is all about. Each page begins with onomatopoeia of a train sound, along with a verb that describes how the train moves along the track. "Chugga-chugga, clickety-clack! Rocking down the railroad track." Then the animal identification begins, with the name of the animal (done in large font) set apart from the typed words. A different animal (all of them native to Alaska) is featured on every page and appears to be happy and excited about the railroad adventure. As the train keeps moving along, the animal from the previous page is shown as a passenger, now peeking out the window. Joseph's bright and inviting pictures fill the entire page and are done in a similar style to the books in his "Little Blue Truck" series. People in the story are of varying skin tones. Two paragraphs at the end of the book offer more details about the Alaska Railroad Corporation, followed by a map. The final page features four railroad cars in the Alaska Railroad colors, labeled and defined for readers. VERDICT A cheerful ode to Alaska, its animals, train system, and landscape that is sure to leave readers demanding, "Again!"--Tracy Cronce

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

A rousing, rhyming tour of Alaskan wildlife and scenery. . . .this book offers a perfect pairing of big, bright, expressive color illustrations and engaging read-aloud text. For budding train enthusiasts, animal lovers, and nature buffs. -Kirkus Reviews

Brooke Hartman
Brooke Hartman is an award-winning author of children's books, including The Littlest Airplane and Dream Flights on Arctic Nights. As the daughter of a former tour guide trainer for the Alaska Railroad and sister of an Alaska Railroad lineman, she has spent many a day, night, and weekend riding the rails, viewing spectacular scenery and spotting countless wildlife--though so far the only wildlife to join her on the ride are members of her own family. She lives in Chugiak, Alaska. Visit her at brookeahartman.com.
John Joseph is an artist, illustrator, elementary school art teacher, and community leader. He has won the ACP Excellence inPublishing Award for Best Picture book and has illustrated for several children's books, including The Littlest Airplane andChickens on the Loose. He lives in Colorado with his wife, two sons, and a German Shepherd.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781636550992
Lexile Measure
490
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Red Comet Press
Publication date
March 05, 2024
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
JUV002000 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | General
JUV041050 - Juvenile Fiction | Transportation | Railroads & Trains
Library of Congress categories
Animals
Railroad trains
Alaska

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