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Full Steam Ahead
Faye Gibbons
Illustrated by Sherry Meidell
Picture Book
Ages 3 to 5
Boyds Mill Press, 2002, 1-56397-858-X
  Sammy has a dream and that is to be a train engineer. His most beloved possession is a train engineer's cap which his Grandpa gave him. It is no wonder then that when he hears that the first train to come through his town in arriving shortly, Sammy gets very excited. Actually everyone gets very excited, Sammy's whole family heading for Tyler Cut, where they will be able to see the train. Sammy and his Grandpa decide to go and tell the neighbours that the train is coming so that they too can have the opportunity to see this wonder for the first time. After all, seeing a real train for the first time is nothing less than miraculous.
  So, Sammy and Grandpa set off at a brisk pace to tell everyone the stupendous news. Too late, they realize that they themselves will not be able to get to Tyler Cut themselves. How are they going to be able to see the train now?
  Faye Gibbons captures the excitement of the boy and his grandfather beautifully, showing us how big an event it was when the railroad came through a town for the first time. It is a delight to share in a boy's dream and to hope that he will indeed get to become a train engineer, just as he hopes to be. Sherry Meidell's illustrations are full of light and movement and compliment the sense of excitement wonderfully.

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