Train to Timbuctoo, The No. 4

Rating:
Summary: Definitely Five Stars!
Review: I am looking for a reading copy of this book, as I fear for the life of my first edition since my two daughters, ages 2 and 4, have discovered it. They don't want to look at it by themselves -- they want me to read it, because this is one of the all-time great books for reading aloud. The pictures are nice, but it's the rhythm that makes the story. When read in the proper spirit, the text sounds like a train going over railroad tracks. The contrasting sounds of the big and small trains help to hold the kids'attention, and best of all, my kids love to make the sounds with me as I read. What kid can resist a hearty "Whooooooo!" or a quiet "wheeeeeee! or a quiet chant of "picketa picketa picketa picketa" for the small engine and a loud chant of "POCKETA POCKETA POCKETA POCKETA" for the big engine? Mine can't. And they're girls who aren't overly excited by trains. They do love music, though, and that's what the rhythm of this book most closely resembles.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: I have absolutely loved this story from the first time I read it to my son. From the repetition of the story, to the rhythm of the trains, we literally read the cover off this book! I am excited to have found it again, and am ordering one to have on hand to read with my grand children, and my oldest child is only 12. That is how wonderful I think this story is!

Rating:
Summary: Not 5 Stars!
Review: My son is a tried-and-true train fan. He likes the pictures in the book, but I have had to modify the story to keep him interested. The text reads like a mumbled stream of consciouness. I purchased the book based on the 5-star customer rating, and was surprised and disappointed when I received it.