The Train of States
Peter Sís
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
2004 Greenwillow Books
ISBN: 0060578386

Presenting 50 fabulous train cars. One for each of the truly Great 50 States, from Maine to California & all States in Between, followed by a Most Marvelous Caboose.
All Aboard! Clickety clack, clickety clack ...
The Train of States is rolling along the track ...
rush to the window & watch it go!

What's the very first car?
The very first state: Delaware, of course,
followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia ...
50 in all, & the Caboose? Washington, D.C!

Clickety clack, clickety clack ...
The Train of States is rolling along the track...
Look, look! What do you see?
State birds & flowers & lovely trees.
& presidents -- all 43!
Can you spot the flags, the heroes,
the animals & the landmarks,
adorning The Train of States?

Clickety clack, clickety clack ...
The Train of States is rolling along the track ...
Where is the train going? Come along!
Across the prairie, over the mountains,
down along green valleys.

Clickety clack, clickety clack ...
At last The Train of States pulls into a huge billowing tent!
It's time to celebrate with Peter Sís on his marvelous, wonder-filled ride & visit every state.

The Train of States is a splendidly illustrated way of learning not only the names of all our states, we'll learn which came first & for what best each is known. This is the kind of book that will be read from generation to generation -- teaching math, geography, history, patriotism & the fantastic use of imagination.

Peter Sís was inspired to create this lively book after visiting the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where a collection of hand-carved & painted antique circus wagons are carefully preserved.

Highly recommended!

More from Peter Sís:
Tibet Through the Red Box
Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei
Tree of Life: Charles Darwin
Madlenka
Fire Truck.
He has also illustrated Jack Prelutsky's best-sellers Scranimals & The Dragons Are Singing Tonight.
(01/02/05)

Rebecca