Little Engine Could Original Classic Reviews Summary

Book Size and Design

Pros:

• "Pages are nice and thick, so no accidental tearing of the pages."
• "As usual, the visual component is very important as far as I'm concerned and the vintage art is fabulous."
• "This miniature version of the classic book is fun. It is the complete original, hardback, and only about five inches square."
• "The illustrations are so nostalgic of simpler times. And it’s long enough to settle them down for bed."
• "The quaint, colourful illustrations make this story a vivid read."
• "The pictures are reproduced from the ORIGINAL deluxe editions and are just GORGEOUS."
• "The deluxe edition is easy to hold and read, also the illustrations are really clear and colourful."

Cons:

• "Be sure to check the dimensions of this book. It's smaller and thinner than the typical children's book, and it's even smaller than most board books."
• "I thought I was buying a regular sized books, but these were very small and disappointing to use as gifts."
• "Book is smaller than expected hence the 'mini' but that's my fault for not reading."
• "It's too teeny not sure what age group can read it."
• "The book is sized too small for a child to read."
• "This book is so so small, it is impossible to read at bed time in dim light."
• "I'm really disappointed in the really really small size of the book."

Story and Message

Pros:

• "It teaches that anything is possible with enough determination, especially when it's for a good cause."
• "A great book for children to read to believe in themselves and keep trying even when things seem impossible."
• "This book is fabulous for kids of all ages as it has a great story, great illustrations and an important life lesson."
• "This story teaches our children especially our daughters that they too can be successful if they work hard and think positive."
• "The story also teaches a child to believe they can do anything if they really want to."
• "This story is good way to teach children the importance of helping others and believing in yourself."
• "The book sends two important life lessons: always help other in need and never give up."

Cons:

• "They destroyed the story. In the original, after the red train broke down, they looked and looked for another train and after many attempts found the blue one. Here they found it right away."
• "Really disappointed. This book doesn't have the original story or any of the original pictures."
• "I didn't realize 'retelling' meant abridged to lose all meaning. Most of the first part of the original story is omitted, completely taking away from the inherent lesson of the story."
• "The board book is greatly abridged and misses all the fun of the original story."
• "This one just seems like they cut out all the good stuff. Doesn't really feel like a story as much anymore."
• "The book is awful and antiquated. For starters, a single sentence spans multiple pages, so you have to turn the page to read a complete thought."
• "Repetitive prose, unlikable characters (in the engines who refuse), trite, inspirational resolution..."

Quality and Durability

Pros:

• "Book came in perfect condition with what I would consider overkill packaging."
• "Its a great and very durable book."
• "Printed on sturdy cardboard, making it more durable for young ones to enjoy time and time again."
• "The book is also great quality, hard back with nice thick paper pages."
• "This particular version of the book is quite small which I like."
• "Very durable, and my son loves that it has to do with trains."
• "This is the NICEST edition of The Little Engine That Could that I have seen."

Cons:

• "The arrangement of the text from page to page is unusual and difficult to read... sentences continue from page to page but not in an intentional way."
• "It is not a board book so watch out if your child is younger: he/she could rip up the pages."
• "I am deducting a star since the cover on mine arrived with a tear."
• "The binding was glued off center so the whole book is twisted."
• "Five stars for the book's content, one star for the poor binding (2008 Printing)."
• "This book was not as described and was actually a pop up book. The book was also not in very good condition."
• "The dolls and toys show zero diversity and the characters are whiny."

Value and Sentiment

Pros:

• "I gave this book to my sister for her 61st birthday."
• "This book gave my daughter a great deal of joy every time I read it to her as a child and now she will be able to read it to her own son."
• "This is just a great, timeless classic."
• "The Little Engine That Could’ was one of my favorite books as a child."
• "A classic book that is great to read to any child especially train lovers.....this is a must read everyday in my house."
• "I love this book. I will be sending it to my granddaughter to read to her three children."
• "LOVE THIS BOOK! I read this over and over as a child and was delighted to finally read it to my children."

Cons:

• "this wasn't the book that I remember so fondly from my childhood."
• "I thought having a tiny book about a tiny engine would be fun."
• "It's a cheap price and good size for travel."
• "I used the book as an example in my children’s Sunday school class,to show GOD can use the weak to accomplish HIS will,if they are willing."
• "I bought this book to teach my 2 1/2 year old about trying and never giving up."
• "I got these books for my students as an end of the school year gift."
• "This was my younger son David's favorite book. I bought this new copy of the book for my grandson who is named in memory of my younger son."