FICTION

A Railway ABC

by Jack TOWNEND
illus. by Jack Townend. 58p. V & A. 2015. Tr $11.95. ISBN 9781851778447.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—First published in 1942 and long out of print, Townend's old-fashioned alphabet book feels as relevant to train lovers today—especially young fans of Thomas the Tank Engine—as it did when it first came out. The volume's compact size makes it perfect for toddlers and preschoolers to clutch as they pore over the details of the four-color lithograph illustrations. Rhyming text takes readers through a train-centric alphabet from "A for ALL CLEAR as the signal goes down" to "H is the HOPPER through which the coal goes," all the way to Z, "the ZOO, which is our destination." A few of the weaker entries ("B for the BUFFERS which sit there and frown," "T for the TRUCKS [train cars] some high and some low," and "X for the CROSSING where the red light blinks") will have young readers scratching their heads.
VERDICT With its classic style and perennially popular subject, this title will appeal to book collectors and young train aficionados alike.
Reviewed by Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD , May 01, 2015

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