Freight Train

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 colours, from the red guard's van through to the black tender and steam engine. Bold and clear, the colours 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 colours, too.

Julia Eccleshare, the Guardian, 'Best Books of 2011'

Bold and modern illustrations reflect a simple poetic narrative that will captivate little train lovers. Very stylish.

Junior Magazine

At first sight this seems like a very simple picture book with just the depiction of a steam engaging pulling freight trucks carrying petrol, grain, cattle, coal and fruit. It is the striking colours of each carriage that creates a sense of excitement and movement as the train picks up speed and passes through tunnels, past cities, across bridges, into darkness and back into daylight, finally disappearing from view leaving only a thin trail of steam. Originally published in the United States in 1978, it remains a great way of introducing young readers to colours, but especially the way that they merge like a film fast-forwarding. Lacking any narrative, it displays the excitement of a high speed locomotive rushing past our eyes, as we ponder where such a dazzling machine is heading.

Carousel Magazine