Three Little Engines (The Little Engine That Could)

The story of Three Little Engines by Bob McKinnon, illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson, is a retelling of The Little Engine That Could. If you have that book (like we do), check it out too; it’s really good. But this happens after that. The Little Blue Engine, the Yellow Passenger Engine, and the Red Freight Engine are facing their final test at Engine School—their very first solo journey over the mountain.

The Rusty Old Engine was waiting for the Little Blue Engine to get to the station, but her friends couldn’t make it. Trees and rain and wind make it difficult for the other engines. The Little Blue Engine helps them on their journey. The Little Blue Engine is very much like the Little Engine That Could. The Yellow Engine said “I think I can,” but sometimes thinking isn’t enough, and others have to help you over the mountain, and that’s okay too. Everyone has a different journey, with different obstacles and setbacks along the way. And we really liked the Stationmaster (she’s a girl).