Freight Train

Freight train has long been a favorite book of mine. The bold graphic illustrations and simple bold text placement draw a reader in and convey in concise language the essence of freight trains. The majority of illustrations in this story span two pages and truly draw the readers eye into the picture engaging them with the artwork and text. Readers will delight in the movement that is conveyed through the artwork as well as the contrast conveyed as the train travels through tunnels, light and dark, and on flat land, and across trestles. I loved the drama created by having the book open and close with just the train tracks present, no train, and the final words of, " Going, going, gone."

Compared to Donald Crews other stories, this is not my favorite. It's plot is simple, created for young readers. However, he remains impressive with his illustrations and his ability to capture movement of the Freight Train. You could use this in the classroom as a mentor text for kindergarten or first grade. There are several repeating lines and also intentional fragment sentences. Its set up more like poetry than actual story.

Freight Train is a colorful novel about a moving train. Each part of the train is a different color and has its very own name. Donald Crews did a fantastic job of choosing bright colors to compliment each train car. I enjoyed reading this book because it told a powerful story with very few words. I think this book could be used for models of writing because it focuses on color words. If a young student is learning these words for the very first time, this book is a great visual aid. The student can correlate the color to the train car.

Freight Train, by Donald Crews, is a delightful concept book about trains that is also surprisingly educational for adults. Over the course of the book, Crews describes each of the different cars on the eponymous freight train, assigning each car a distinct color; this simultaneously allows children to learn the different kinds of train cars and to review their colors. The illustrations seem simple, but are actually fairly detailed: most of the pictures show outlines of the cars with shading for the distinct colors and smudged lines to show movement. While the book is intentionally brief to suit the needs of younger readers, it leaves the audience wanting more; that, in itself, is the mark of great writing.

Citation:
Crews, Donald. show more Freight Train. New York: Greenwillow, 1978. Print. show less

Crews’s crisp line drawings and vivid bright colors pull young readers along a fast-paced journey of a freight train as it travels through mountain tunnels, past cities, and over trestle bridges. Crew pairs minimal text with colourful and crisp art, and acquaints young readers and listeners with the various train cars that comprise a typical freight train. As readers progress through the book they watch the train’s colours blur as it increases in speed until only wisps of grey steam are left on the book’s final page. While it appears the book’s strength lies in Crews’s art, the simple text contextualizes what a freight train is and where it travels. Although a short book, the brevity of Freight Train pulls young readers and show more listeners back to it repeatedly. The book is recommended for children age four to eight. show less

Hop aboard the Freight Train and experience Donald Crews’ award-winning ride like you never have before. You don't have to like trains to love this simple and witty book. Trundling down the track goes a typical freight train, made beautiful by its bright colors, from the red guard's van through to the black tender and steam engine. Bold and clear, the colors stand out, until the train gathers speed and they are all whirled together as it hurtles through tunnels, over bridges, through night and day until, as trains do, it disappears. Nothing is said, nothing needs to be said; it's just a very satisfying experience. And a good introduction to colors, too.

Summary: This story begins from the track and builds up through the different cars that are frequently part of trains. To help distinguish each car, they are also done in vivid color. Starting with red, and working through the traditional rainbow color scheme and ending with black. The book then depicts the freight train in motion. The vivid colors begin to blur and it’s very attention grabbing.

Personal Response: This book does a good job at showing several ideas in simple ways. First, there’s the freight train itself and all of the cars that I hadn’t even been aware of. Second, I love the bright and distinguishable colors. Last, is the idea of the train moving and moving very fast! Through the day and night, and through tunnels show more it shows where the train travels. It’s an appealing book and I enjoyed reading it to young kids.

Classroom Extension:
1. Have each student pick their favorite car of the freight train and allow them to decorate as they wish. Then have the students’ sequence the cars in the order as they are depicted in the book, attach together and display for in classroom.
2. Give each student their own freight train and have them color the cars how they would like. Have them arrange the colors in the correct sequence. show less