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."

This simple, but powerful book teaches about different types of cars on a freight train while also using words and illustrations to evoke feelings of a fast moving freight passing by.

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.

In this book the reader gets to practice their spanish and english while looking through this awesome book. It gives the reader a great glimpse of the different train cars and colors while capturing their attention in two languages. The author used short phrases in english and then wrote them again in spanish. I really enjoy this for so many reasons, but the main one is that it's very clear they both say the same thing the way they stay the englisn and spanish on top of one another. On one page the author paints a grey and white city scape background with a rainbow colored train going fast with the words "Going by Cities" right on top of "Pasando ciudades". Even the dedication is in spanish and english.

I guess this title is quite famous in the annals of train picture book history, but I found it boring! Maybe it's just because I don't care about trains and don't read stories to anyone that cares about trains? But if I had a 3-year-old obsessed with trains, I'm sure this would be his/her favorite book. I think the book must be noted mostly for its design and the graphic artistry since the text is very simplified. The illustraions are very simplified as well - each car of the train is mono-colored in a bright rainbow hue. When the illustrations show the train speeding by, the colors become striated and begin to blend together - it's interesting looking. Despite the simplified look of the illustrations, the engine car has some very nice show more details that would appeal to the aforementioned train-obsessed. show less