Publishers Weekly
12/23/2019
This tale of the little engine who cheers herself on in order to rescue a heavy train remains a bestseller almost a century after publication. For its 90th anniversary, Caldecott Medalist Santat pays homage to the story’s original artwork while giving it his own distinctive polish. His usual sizzling energy is gentled here with warm sunlight and big skies. The train cars have a blocky, streamlined look, and he illuminates the scenes with genuine drama, as when the clown pleads with the Big Freight Engine to pull the train, and the huge train, in inky shadow, bellows “I won’t pull the likes of you!” Though the text is dated (“The good little boys and girls in the city will be happy because you helped us, Little Blue Engine”), Santat’s figures are more inclusive, and the clown and bear and the rest of the animals wear expressions that are more warmly animated and engaging than the stiff toys of the original. The Little Engine has the same cheerful light blue smokestack and cow tender, and a diminutive toy airplane shadows the travelers, soaring through the sky as the stalwart rescuer pulls the train over the mountain and down to the city. Her trainlike “I think I can, I think I can” is as compelling a chant as ever. Ages 3–7. (Mar.)
School Library Journal
03/01/2020
PreS-Gr 2—Watty Piper's classic about the determined little train that accomplishes what bigger, stronger engines could or would not has yet another new look for a new generation. This 90th-anniversary volume is larger and bolder than the classic edition. The cartoony dolls and toy animals should appeal to youngsters used to streaming animated shows and games. Two dolls, a teddy bear, two giraffes, a purple elephant, and a green-haired clown drive the story; there is also a small red and white propeller plane on every spread for readers to spot. Santat captures the train's motion with wind-blown locks or puffs of smoke, and the expressions on the snooty passenger train, the tired Rusty Old Engine, and the eager Little Blue speak volumes. The text is virtually the same as in the original, though broken up in a more seamless manner. There is a foreword by singer Dolly Parton, who chose this beloved title as the first book gifted by her Imagination Library, a program that gives books to children. An afterword by Santat celebrates the message of believing in oneself. VERDICT Due to the size, bold art, and updated language, this new version of an old favorite is perfect for read-alouds.—Barbara Auerbach, Cairo Public Library, NY
Kirkus Reviews
2019-12-22
Thinking it can for its 90th year, an old friend receives a shiny new update.
Fifteen years after Loren Long's 75th-anniversary interpretation, Caldecott winner Santat tries his hand at this work of classic children's literature. Once more a train filled with toys and goodies for all those "good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain" can only be saved by the smallest, most determined engine of them all. As no part of the text has been changed (the "jackknives" for children remain intact in the train's inventory), Santat's challenge is to bring the engine into the 21st century visually. Now the "funny little clown" is actually small instead of adult-sized, and one of the dolls depicted has brown skin and straight, dark hair (the other is white with Shirley Temple ringlets). In Santat's version, when the Little Blue Engine pulls away from the engine that broke down, one of the toys waves goodbye, and it looks on in relief. Some scenes directly reference the earlier editions, such as a shot of the Little Blue Engine pulling over a bridge as animals run alongside. Kids will enjoy small details, like the toy plane that appears in almost every spread. Adults will enjoy the generous format and Santat's lovingly rendered landscapes. Notes from Dolly Parton and Santat bookend the story.
Can you love another update? We think you will, we think you will, we think you will…. (Picture book. 3-6)
