Hop aboard this train-shaped board book that introduces each car of a freight train during a nighttime adventure! Blow the train whistle, shovel more coal. Here we go, freight train! Get ready to roll! Toot-toot goes the horn, Blink-blink go the lights, Clang-clang goes the bell, all through the night. Featuring all the cars of a freight train, this board book is perfect for young readers who love trains! And since freight trains ride at night, there are adorable sleepy animals throughout for little ones to find.

Hopping a freight in the St. Louis rail yards, Ted Conover0́4winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award0́4embarks on his dream trip, traveling the rails with "the knights of the road." Equipped with rummage store clothing, a bedroll, and his notebooks, Conover immerses himself in the peculiar culture of the hobo, where handshakes and intoductions are foreign, but where everyone knows where the Sally (Salvation Army) and the Willy (Goodwill) are. Along the way he encounters unexpected charity (a former cop goes out of his way to offer Conover a dollar) and indignities (what do you do when there are no public bathrooms?) and learns how to survive on the road.But above all, Conover gets to know the men and women who, for one reason or another, live this life. There's Lonny, who accepts that there are some towns he can't enter before dark because he's black, and Pistol Pete, a cowboy who claims his son is a doctor and his daughter a ballerina, and Sheba Sheila Sheils, who's built herself a house out of old tires. By turns resourceful and desperate, generous and mistrusting, independent and communal, philosophical and profoundly cynical, the tramps Conover meets show him a segment of humanity outside society, neither wholly romantic nor wholly tragic, and very much like the rest of us.

Allen Chapman's "Ralph the Train Dispatcher" introduces readers to an engaging story centered around Ralph and his role as a train dispatcher. The narrative unfolds with themes of responsibility, problem-solving, and the fast-paced world of railroads. Set against the backdrop of the railroad environment, the story captures the essence of teamwork, decision-making, and the challenges faced by those responsible for the safe and efficient operation of trains. Through Ralph's interactions with colleagues, his handling of crises, and his dedication to his job, readers are immersed in the dynamic world of rail transportation. The novella delves into themes of professionalism, dedication, and the impact of individual contributions in a larger system. As Ralph navigates the complexities of his role and addresses unexpected challenges, he embodies the qualities of resourcefulness and a commitment to the well-being of others. "Ralph the Train Dispatcher" celebrates the vital role of those who work behind the scenes to ensure the smooth functioning of essential services. Allen Chapman's storytelling invites readers to join Ralph on his journey, gaining insight into the intricacies of a fascinating profession and the satisfaction that comes from successfully managing complex operations.

A new, interactive approach to storytime, The Whole Book Approach was developed in conjunction with the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and expert author Megan Dowd Lambert's graduate work in children's literature at Simmons College, offering a practical guide for reshaping storytime and getting kids to think with their eyes. Traditional storytime often offers a passive experience for kids, but the Whole Book approach asks the youngest of readers to ponder all aspects of a picture book and to use their critical thinking skills. Using classic examples, Megan asks kids to think about why the trim size of Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline is so generous, or why the typeset in David Wiesner's Caldecott winner,The Three Pigs, appears to twist around the page, or why books like Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar are printed landscape instead of portrait. The dynamic discussions that result from this shared reading style range from the profound to the hilarious and will inspire adults to make children's responses to text, art, and design an essential part of storytime.