Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo Reviews

• Come inside a boy's imagination for some train play!

  
  By A3SMR4HRFJARSC on 2002-10-03
  This is a great rhyming story about a boy's imaginative train play. A young boy has set up a creative train layout in his room: going over the fish tank (bridge), to the freight yard, up mountains, down valleys, etc. His entire room is laid out with track and many of his toys are involved in the layout such as blocks to prop up the track and dolls to lift boxes. As we read the book we see the toys "moving" and doing jobs and the illustrations are such that we are as small as the train and looking out and around as if we were riding the train ourselves. At the end the train is said to go into the roundhouse and the boy is seen sleeping in bed with his locomotive and the track laid out on the floor all around his room! Great imagination!

  The text itself is well written and rhyming and just has a great flow to it.

  I bought our first hardcover edition right after it was published which was over 3 years ago. My older son has loved this since he was 2 years old and I have read it over and over and over. He is a real train lover and even now at age 5 he loves this book (over many of the other train-themed children's fiction books we own).

  The text is not annoying in any way and I truly don't groan when I have to reread it to him several times. My second son has loved this book since infancy. Sadly, after 3 years of handling it finally fell apart and now I am buying a second hardcover edition. I browsed the board book version in a store but was disappointed. The hardcover is a larger size than usual and the illustrations are bold and large. In the board book version some of the illustrations are greatly pared down in size and much is lost. If you own the board version I highly recommend also buying the hardcover edition if your child likes the book. This would make a great gift!
  
  

• Whoooooooo! Whoooooooo! Winner!

  
  By A1E7QLJVWNFOZY on 2002-05-10
  Tag along with a little boy and his steam engine as they "chugga-chugga choo-choo" to the city on a very busy day. This engaging little book, (also available in board size), begs to be read repeatedly due to its wonderfully rhythmic prose and vibrantly animated illustrations. "Sun's up! Morning's here. Up and at 'em, engineer. Chugga-chugga choo-choo, whistle blowing, Whoooooooo! Whoooooooo!" This book is actually a nighttime story, but my 11th month old is so enthralled by the vivid colors and musical beat that I read it to him after his naps. Oh, and not just for little boys, my four-year old niece adores this book. She asks for Chugga-chugga choo-choo and walks around afterwards saying Whoooooooo! Whoooooooo! A real winner! Birth and up.
  
  

• A Required Book for your child's library

  
  By on 2000-05-28
  We borrowed this book from the library. After having it read to him for the first time, my 2 1/2 year old son practically took possession of it. We returned it 3 days ago and he asks for it repeatedly. I told him that we would borrow it again later. Tonight, just as he was falling asleep, he said "Chugga, where are you? In the library? Come back later." Now I have to buy it so that he will always have it on hand when he wants it. This is a wonderful book for reading out loud. I would love to send a personal note to Mr. Lewis and Mr. Kirk telling them how much we enjoy this book.
  
  

• A must read says the librarian.

  
  By on 1999-10-19
  My daughter's story hour teacher said this book is a must read and was keeping it to share with all her groups. I agree and so do the kids. It reminds me of another favorite, "The Tub People". The child's toys have an adventure of their own.
  
  

• A great rhyming, chime-in read-along about TRAINS!

  
  By on 1999-05-21
  "Sun's up, morning's here. Up and at 'em, engineer!" After one reading, this became my 2-yr-old son's favorite book. He loves to chime in with the last line of verse on each page. As a train fanatic, he loves seeing all the parts of the toy train and making the Whooo Whooo sounds. As a parent, I find the setting in a child's room (rather than in the outdoors) very refreshing. Morning, naptime, bedtime, we are probably reading this book.
  
  
• Wonderful Book!
  By AAX41BDJU9ZUS on 2000-03-26
  My 3 year old son and my 1.5 year old daughter LOVE this book. I have to read it over and over. They are both reading it to me now they have heard it so much! Finally, something they will both sit down and listen to at the same time!
  
  
• My son's all-time favorite!
  By on 1999-10-05
  Currently I don't know the whereabouts of this book in my house. I had to hide it so my son wouldn't see it. If we read it once, we have to read it 20 times (at least). He is so in love with the pictures and the story and he loves to go "Whoo Whoo". I am going to order another one because I know the first one will wear out from constant use...if only I can find it!
  
  
• Chugga Chugga Classic
  By on 1999-08-17
  My 2 year-old train-obsessed son almost immediately elevated this book to favorite status. He loves the journey the train takes, and I love both the engaging illustrations and the quiet, peaceful ending: "Sleepy sleepy choo choo, till tomorrow..." A great bedtime book.
  
  
• whoooo whooo chugga chugga choo choo!
  By A3NMH0913MIY84 on 2000-10-27
  we love this beautiful book. with two sons aged 27 mo and 17 mo we are constantly trying to find different books for them. this one has the greatest, colorful illustrations with creative items for them to view, and its catchy rhyme is a delight for the boys since they learned it so quickly!! definitely a must for any child to own!
  
  
• Kids and Trains: A love story
  By on 1999-07-13
  My son had me read this book 10+ times the afternoon it arrived. It had great color illustrations and a cute rhyming story that gets kids involved! Whoo-Whoo! Yes, little boys like mine and the one in the story do sleep with their toy trains! We love this book! Whoo-Whoo!
  
  
• My toddler loves this book!
  By A9H2TTMFKLJTY on 2001-11-24
  He loves it so much he loved it to death and we had to replace it. He asks us to read it and points to and names the animals he knows. This book is a winner.
  
  
• A must-have for your library
  By A1SF88S2QCXOWA on 2004-07-26
  This book has captured the attention of all 3 of my boys. I bought it when my 6 year-old (my oldest) was little and it has since become one of our favorites. The illustrations are wonderful and captivating for the younger children and yet provide older children with creative ways to use their imaginations. Each of my boys have articulated that they thought the engineer was Daddy and they were the little boy accompanying him. It didn't matter the skin color. They were able to identify with the characters in the book. This book is definitely one of our favorites and has been taped up to ensure it continues to have a long life. The ending provides a nice soft way to transition to saying good night.
  
  
• A Delightful Bedtime Book for Little Engineers
  By AHNHLGKIZ2N3B on 2006-05-15
  This is a great bedtime book for any toddler or new reader who loves trains. The whimsical story depicts a little boy's toys running his trains while he sleeps, eventually putting all of their "cargo" away for the night and delivering his locomotive engine and stuffed animals to him in his bed.
  
  The pictures are vividly colorful and full of lots of details that your child will love to pick out. The writing relies on a refrain of the "woo-hoo" sound of the train whistle, encouraging him/her to join along. The rhyming pairs also have a lyrical quality that makes it easy for the reader to interject a lot of emphasis and personality into the reading.
  
  The book itself is a board book small enough for a toddler to easily carry or to bring along on a car trip.
  
  If your child loves trains, then this is a can't-miss.
  
  
• I never thought I could love a children's book so much.
  By A1P4KYN1UWXYG0 on 2006-07-26
  This one is fun to read, with wonderful rhymes and rhythms, and it has terrific, colorful illustrations. I wish I could find more books like it, because my two sons both adore it. In fact, my 4 year old routinely sneeks it out of my toddler's bedroom, so that I can read it to him again at bedtime.
  
  
• Must Read (Again and again and again)
  By A1KMT1GROEZHTD on 2000-07-23
  We got this book purely by accident and our 14 month old son LOVES it. He repeatedly asks for it to be read to him. He has worn out the first paperback version, so now we need to go buy a hardback in hopes that it will survive.

  He hasn't read the words yet, but I'm sure he will.

  Great book with very vivid illustrations.

  Who needs Harry Potter, we've got Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo.
  
  

• Excellent!
  By on 1999-06-29
  My 2-year-old daughter loves this book. The illustrations are big and bold and beautiful and she also loves the "Whoo whoo." It's fun to read too.
  
  
• Terrific Read-a-Loud
  By on 1999-05-11
  Chugga Chugga Choo Choo is an absolutely wonderful end-of-the-day book to read aloud to kids 1 to 3/4...the text easily lends itself to whatever you choose your voice to do, even at first reading. The illustrations are quirky AND lovely, and offer quite a bit of "identifying" possibilities for the lucky kids listening. Our favorite "performance piece" of this year!
  
  
• Wow!
  By on 2001-06-03
  We received this book as a gift and I'd been holding it aside until my son could deal better with the paper pages (e.g., not a board book). I gave it to him yesterday (he's 20 months). Within about 15 minutes, it was his favorite book in the whole world. I've read it about 50 times now... he shouts "again, again" before we're even done with the story. He walks around saying "kugga kugga" all day. I'm sure this is one that will remain a favorite for a long time. The illustrations are cool and it's fun to read (well, as fun as anything can be that you read a zillion times).
  
  
• This book stands out from the crowd!
  By A2G5J6PGZP3UAI on 2001-10-27
  Three things make this book different from many other toddler books. The artwork is bold, with deep, bright colors--a welcome change from airy pastels. The verse is downright sophisticated, not singsong (but have no fear, it's certainly within a child's grasp). And this book is two stories in one: while the verse tells the main tale of a train's workday, the artwork cleverly tells a second, parallel story of a child's imaginative play. This is a high-quality book my child enjoys. To Lewis and Kirk, I say job well done!
  
  
• My Toddler Loves This Book!!!
  By on 2003-07-18
  I purchased this book for my 21-month old son after reading the favorable reviews. They were not exaggerating. He absolutely loves the train sounds and rhymes in this book. We read it more than once every night before he goes to bed by his request. We also read it during the day (also by his request). The illustrations are vivid and eye-catching and keep his attention. This is a great book to transition your child from board books. A must have for all parents who like to read to their children.
  
  
• Again and again and again and again!!!!
  By A1MOMZ40YK5IZ8 on 2003-10-24
  "Again, Momma, again!" We can't read this book enough for our 1 year old. She carries it to us and shoves it in our laps all day long! She never tires of it -- and what a fun book to read "Chugga chugga choo choo, whistle going WHOOOOOOO WHOOOOOO!!" You can't read this book softly -- it's big and loud fun to be had. Do buy it -- your baby will be so happy!
  
  
• attention getter
  By ALI0MIMAJG7T1 on 2004-04-23
  I definately think this book deserves five stars! The colors and pictures are so bright and fun they will catch even an adults attention. The words are catchy and repetitive witch is great when your trying to read to busy toddlers or in my case children with special needs. Those of you who know or have children with special needs know that your lucky just to get them to listen to the first five pages. However I got this book at the library and read it to my little two year old brother who has autism and he sat through the whole book and then wanted "more more". The sounds are also good practice for little ones the Choo Choo sound and Whoo Whoo,my little brother who can say very little was running all over the house saying choo choo and whoo whoo. I was very impressed with this book and am going to buy it right away!
  
  
• Very, very cute book!
  By A31DVLAJF3XEGP on 2005-09-12
  I ordered this book solely on the reviews it got from this site, and I was not disappointed at all. My son is almost 2 years old and loves trains. He wants to read this book every time before he goes to bed. The text is catchy. He loves to make the train "Whoooo-whoooo" along with me as I read. This one will be a classic for sure.
  
  
• Two-year-old approved!
  By A1QH0XFSEBJ0D8 on 2005-12-31
  My two year old is in love with trains and I gave him this book for Christmas. It is now his new favorite and the only one he wants to have us read to him at bedtime. The pictures are wonderfully colorful and inviting to imaginative little minds. I also like that the train gets sleepy at the end, saying "sleepy sleepy choo choo", which always causes my little guy to rub his eyes....ah, the power of suggestion! Great book!
  
  
• Our favorite book for the past 6 months
  By A194UXXKM11698 on 2006-01-28
  We borrowed is book from the library when my son was 18 months and it started his obsession with trains. At almost 2 it is still his favorite book. Things we like include:
  
  -vivid colorful illustrations.
  -Illustrated scenes have lots of items to locate and talk about with your child. I use them in an I Spy type game with my son.
  -upbeat rhyming text.
  -The boy in the story and many of the dolls show are african-american which is nice.
  -Both my son and I seem happy to read it over and over again.
  
  
  
• My little girl (21 months) loves this book...
  By A39FQUMNCMR84M on 2006-02-14
  She knows when the whooo whooo comes up and that is "her" part. When we first got it (as a gift) I wasn't thrilled, I like cute pastel illustrations, and this is bold primary colors, but she loved it. (Really what do I know.) She points out what things are on the page (dogs, horses, etc.) and she even has memorized a couple of pages, in addition to the whooo whooo. We read it at least two or three times every night... as soon as we finish, we hear again, again. Really great book.
  
  
• Lots of sounds and lots of fun
  By A11VYR9HDBNNDL on 2007-02-23
  The pictures are beautiful, the story is sweet, and who can resist saying....Whooo whoo!
  
  
• Captivating for my toddler, enjoyable for me to read!
  By A2VZ049SYP2RW7 on 2007-04-08
  My 13 month old daughter loves books and she usually prefers more interactive ones with flaps, feel-real stuff or music. But Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo is so captivating with its rhymes, colors and pictures, that it tops her list! The illustrations are so detailed and well done that I dont just read the text, but also point out the various things to her on the pages and she loves that. We usually read 4-5 different books before bedtime/naptime, but this one we read at the beginning, in between and finally in the end. She never tires of it unlike her other books.
  
  I love reading it to her because it is literally fun to read it aloud with lots of expression. Sentences are short and rhyme well (unlike forced rhymes in many childrens books). The story flows very well. Kevin Lewis has done an outstanding job at depicting a boy's imagination in this book. Wish there were more books like this one!
  
  
  
• recommended for 2 years and under
  By AA5APKWCVAVIP on 2007-09-25
  This board book is short and sweet. The rhyming text is simplistic and illustrations are very good. It tells a tale of a train and ends with a goodnight "lullaby". I believe this book to be to "immature" for children 3 and over.
  
  
• A Favorite at Bedtime
  By A100LLXMXDZHJZ on 2008-01-02
  My 3 year-old son got this book for Christmas, and we have read it every night since. He even "reads" it by himself... I catch him saying, "Wooo-wooo!" while turning the pages. Just like him, the train has to go to sleep after a long day. This is a wonderful story, the pictures are colorful, the pages are heavy and easy to turn, and it's perfect for a preschooler... especially if, like my son, they love trains.
  
  

• My Truck is Stuck!
• The Goodnight Train
• My Big Train Book (My Big Board Books)
• Peek-A Who?
• I Love Trains