Follow the Track All the Way Back - Hardcover

Timothy Knapman; Ben Mantle

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1406360597 ISBN 13: 9781406360592

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd, 2017

Synopsis

Today is a BIG day for little Train ...he's going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time! From Ben Mantle and Timothy Knapman, the author of Soon and Time Now to Dream, comes the story of a Little Train who is going out on the track, all by himself, for the very first time! But before he goes, his Mummy and Daddy remind "When it's time to come home, no matter how far you are, just follow the track all the way back, where we'll be waiting." So Little Train heads off into the unknown with a clickety-clack...But, when night falls and the track runs out, will he remember what to do? Taking its place beside the classic The Little Engine That Could, young readers will share Little Train's trepidation and excitement in this uplifting and extraordinary read-aloud adventure, and rejoice in the gorgeously atmospheric artwork of illustrator Ben Mantle.

About this title

About the Author

Timothy Knapman is a children's writer, lyricist and playwright. His children's books have been translated into fifteen languages and include Soon, illustrated by Patrick Benson, Time Now To Dream, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, Dinosaurs Don't Have Bedtimes, illustrated by Nikki Dyson, and Can't Catch Me, illustrated by Simona Ciraolo. His titles are often featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories. He lives in Weybridge, Surrey. Find him online at timothyknapman.co.uk and on Twitter as @TimothyKnapman. Ben Mantle worked in animation, working on Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, before turning his hand to children's illustration. He is the author and illustrator of the Dinostar series, The Best Birthday Present Ever! and The Best Christmas Present Ever!, and the illustrator of many other picture books. Born in Leamington Spa, Ben now lives and works in Brighton. Find him online at benmantle.co.uk and benmantleillustration.blogspot.co.uk, and on Twitter as @BenMMantle.

From School Library Journal

PreS-K— Owing a clear nod to The Little Engine That Could , The Little Red Caboose and Thomas the Tank Engine , a little train makes his first foray into the world. When night falls, he follows his parents' advice to "follow the track all the way back." Little Train, clearly a stand-in for his preschool counterparts, chugs along happily, testing his newfound freedom until he reaches the end of the tracks and realizes that it is dark and he is far from home. Remembering his parents' advice, he heads home, where he is greeted warmly and feels ready to explore more the following day. Knapman employs simple text, patterns, and sound effects to "chuggga-chug" the story along and encourage engagement and participation. On Little Train's return trip, he retraces his steps and sounds in a series of panels reminiscent of Michael Rosen's We're Going on a Bear Hunt . Mantle's pastel and digital cartoon-style illustrations employ bright colors and anthropomorphized animals and trains. Little Train is bright red with round eyes, freckles, and a snub nose. Mommy Train is lavender and Daddy is green and sports glasses. Full-bleed spreads move the action along, encouraging page turns, and the saturated dark purples and blues of the sunset at the end of the track evoke an emotional response. There is nothing new here in either the story or the pictures, but that very familiarity is likely to entice young train fans ready to test their boundaries. VERDICT A perfect preschool adventure, especially where train books are in demand.— Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Edition details

• Publisher: Walker Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1406360597
• ISBN 13: 9781406360592
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32