Tootle

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Summary: Tootle
Review: As a child I loved trains. Tootle appealed to me because of the fantasy element -- a train being able to leave the tracks to smell the flowers! The moral of the story is teach children responsibility and the importance of following instructions but that's not what I took away from it when I was a toddler.

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Summary: For little train lovers
Review: As an adult I'm not wild about this book, but my two-year-old, train-obsessed son is crazy about it. I can't decide whether it is because he likes saying "Tootle" or because he likes the little train with a friendly face who leaves the tracks to play in the daisies. If your child is a train lover, this is a good addition to your "Thomas the Tank Engine" book collection.

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Summary: growing up includes being responsible
Review: being read this book as a child was simple fun, and went along with my parents encouraging me to be responsible.
as a parent I wanted my kids to realize that others were hurt by our unthinking selfishness.
It seems now that I'm older that the lesson, of doing only what WE want can spill the cargo of our family that we carry through life with us, is still valid.
That everyone in town is rooting for me to do what is right, and cheers when I'm successful, is what I wish to believe.

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Summary: Old but not classic
Review: I think "Tootle" is a very morally acceptable book. I interpret it as encouragement to stay on the right track. As a Christian, that means staying on "the road less traveled". It is very encouraging to me and for my son(4). I will read it to him until (and probably after) he feels he's outgrown it. I especially loved the very end where Tootle, with tears in his eyes, realizes that he should be on the track, where his instructor is waving a green flag. You hear the excitement in his voice when he says "Oh. This is the place for me." and all the townspeople shout "Hurray!" and throw up their arms in excitement.
I will always treasure this book! Thank you Gertrude Crampton!!!!

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Summary: Horrid!!!
Review: Or so "Tootle" would have us believe.

I also loved this book, just because that little train is so darn cute. Tootle bounces about the meadow with a daisy chain draped around his boiler and a horde of butterflies dancing about his head. During these happy, non-conformist times, "Tootle" grins joyously from bolt to bolt.

However, it is a book (written after WWII ended) about conformity and mindlessly following directions. The mantra forced upon Tootle is simply "no matter what! Stay on the Tracks!".

Look closely at the photos. Tootle is happy playing in the meadow, but when he is forced back on the tracks, he is crying. Tears are falling from his cast iron face.

At the end, we weep with Tootle and for Tootle, as he has knuckled under and has conformed to societal expectations, but alas, they can't take away his dreams. Yes, as a grown train, he is now "staying on the tracks, no matter what" but still he dreams of frolicking in the meadow, chasing butterflies and getting wild flowers caught in his undercarriage again. (see the last photo in the book)

They can make us conform on the outside and "stay on the tracks, no matter what" but we'll always be able to dream.

As my brother once said, this book should have ended at the halfway point, where a two-page color picture of Tootle shows him filled with glee, playing with his friends in the meadow and expressing his child-like joy and innocence. Had the book ended there, we could all be left with happy memories of Tootle playfully jumping and tooting.

At that point, Tootle had found the courage and strength to flee the tracks (ruts?) of life and was expressing a higher sense of freedom, joy and beauty than his little non-thinking friends.

Oh Tootle - may you find your way off the tracks again!

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Summary: MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Review: This is an adorable story about a baby locomotive who went to the village of Lower Trainswitch to learn to be a big locomotive.
They have lessons in many classes to learn whistle blowing, stopping for a red flag waving and puffing loudly, just to name a few. However, the most important lesson to learn was staying on the rails no matter what.

Tootle could never seem to do this. He always wanted to go and wonder in the meadow and chase birds or butterfly's.
Tootle had to be taught a lesson.

This little book teaches children in a fun way how important it is to follow directions.
My granddaughter and I enjoyed this read.
The illustrations were colorful and the book was enjoyable for her to look at.
Nice job!