Mary Harding

I have had the pleasure of owning this book for almost a decade. My oldest son was given this book as a gift when he became smitten with trains as a toddler. It has since been read countless times to all of my children as they too become interested in these giants. My critique of this book would be much less positive if I did not have young children to share it with. My worn copy is a paperback that is rather cheaply printed and bound. The top of many pages were trimmed incorrectly and therefore shows the bottom of the previous page. It is only a distraction to my adult observations. My kids have never noticed. The font is an uninteresting sans serif and the writing is equalling unimaginative. So why has this book outlived so many other train tales? Why has this become a treasured classic amongst my children's library? It is simple and beautiful. The illustrator, Richard Courtney, has perfectly matched content to target audience. Each page features a realistic yet youthful image that grabs young readers with its bright primary colors and intricate details. My children particularly love the blue caboose and the bullet train. They have independently flipped through the pages of this book staring at each train's unique features. While I would not give this book a second glance, my children (the important critics) have deemed it invaluable and a loved classic.… (more)

The material in this book is along the same lines as you'll find in the Golden Hands Encyclopaedia of Crafts or The Family Creative Workshop.
It covers clay modelling, paper crafts, printing, beading, macramé and leatherwork.
First published in Magic Touch by Orbis-Verlag für Publizistik in 1973 many of the graphics and motifs are super funky! Think early Sesame Street animations - flat block graphics with bold drop shadows. The belt buckles exude bohemian/hippie charm. Then, because my copy of the book was reprinted in 1980, you get to page 38-39 and they drop in a double page of studio 80 fashion models - all pastel swimsuits, ooh-la-la lips and pseudo-French striped tee-shirts. It makes for a bit of a culture clash, but thankfully the recipes for natural dyes made from birch and walnut leaves, vitriol and lichen more than make up for this. There are lots of great weaving ideas as well as braiding rag rugs etc.… (more)