The Little Engine That Could (Original Classic Edition)
The Little Engine That Could (Original Classic Edition) book cover

The Little Engine That Could (Original Classic Edition)

Hardcover – July 31, 2001

by
Price
$8.49
Format
Hardcover
Pages
48
Publisher
Grosset & Dunlap
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0448405209
Dimensions
8.25 x 0.35 x 7.38 inches
Weight
8.6 ounces

Description

The unknowing progenitor of a whole generation of self-help books, Wally Piper's The Little Engine That Could is one of the greatest tales of motivation and the power of positive thinking ever told. In this well-loved classic, a little train carrying oodles of toys to all of the good boys and girls is confronted with a towering, seemingly impassable mountain. As nicely as they ask, the toys cannot convince the Shiny New Engine or the Big Strong Engine--far too impressed with themselves--to say anything but "I can not. I can not." It is left up to the Little Blue Engine to overcome insurmountable odds and pull the train to the other side. The Little Engine That Could is an entertaining and inspirational favorite, and the Little Blue Engine's rallying mantra "I think I can--I think I can" will resonate for a lifetime in the head of every child who hears it. (Ages 4 to 8) ) Praise The Little Engine That Could illustrated by Loren Longxa0xa0* “Longxa0.xa0.xa0. adds a lushness to the spreads and injects even more personality into the characters. Both faithful fans and newcomers will enjoy this triumphant ride and eagerly climb aboard for repeat excursions.”xa0— Publishers Weekly , starred review* “Long has enriched this new edition with bountiful illustrations that take their palette and inspiration from the original, but are greatly enhanced by imagination and inventiveness.”xa0— Kirkus Reviews , starred review Watty Piper is the pseudonym of Arnold Munk, author behind the classic retelling of The Little Engine That Could and cofounder of Platt & Munk Publishers (now part of Grosset & Dunlap.)xa0 Munk’s retelling of the beloved children’s tale has sold millions of copies since its 1930 publication and inspired generations to believe they can. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." Discover the inspiring story of the Little Blue Engine as she makes her way over the mountain in this beloved classic
  • —the perfect gift to celebrate the special milestones in your life, from graduations to birthdays and more!
  • The kindness and determination of the Little Blue Engine have inspired millions of children around the world since the story was first published in 1930. Cherished by readers for over ninety years,
  • The Little Engine That Could
  • is a classic tale of the little engine that, despite her size, triumphantly pulls a train full of wonderful things to the children waiting on the other side of a mountain.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(2.3K)
★★★★
25%
(962)
★★★
15%
(577)
★★
7%
(269)
★
-7%
(-268)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Great for Children, Fantastic for Adults

My dad was dying and I bought several books to take to him at the hospital. This was one of them. When I flew down to see him, the word was that he still had hope. Within thirty minutes of my arrival, we found it not to be true. I still read him this book, just as he used to read it to me. It was a joke for us during his last days. Even when he had break through pain and I wasn't allowed to give him more medicine, we'd read this and he'd squeeze my hand while he tried to get through just a little more time. Sometimes he told me the story to keep his mind focussed.

Before he died he told me to finish my degree. I told him it would be hard because I have a big family, so much going on-- and he smiled and said, "Let me tell you about a train that couldn't get over a mountain. It had great things on it, toys for the good boys and girls, milk for their dinners. It was hard to get this train loaded with good things over the mountain but there was one little engine. . ." Three months later I am in college and this little engine goes through my mind a lot. The story is one of my children's favorites and they don't know why I can't read it without crying!

This book appeals to everyone for different reasons, but the results are the same. An iron will allows us to overcome any obstacle!
163 people found this helpful
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Text doesn't line up well

The artwork was nice, and the quality of the book is ok (not greatly, but what I found irritating was how poorly the text lined up with the pictures. The story would be describing one thing, and the associated picture would be on the next or previous page. And some sentences would roll over mid-sentence to the next page at a weird point.
I've read many, many children's picture books, and I've never seen another book with so little consideration for aligning the text with the pictures. It should be quite easy to do with any word processor.
21 people found this helpful
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A Classic!!

I am so glad Amazon had this version of The Little Engine That Could book. Also was happy to have it in hardcover. I wasn't sure at first if my almost 4 yr. old would like the old fashioned looking pictures but she was very excited pointing to all the animals, toys, trains and clown as I was reading the book to her. I would definitely recommend buying this classic book for any child 5 and under.
15 people found this helpful
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I HOPE MY KIDS REFLECT BACK THE WAY I DO !

I remember reading this book over and over again as a child and feeling a very powerful truth. This is one of the few books for children that teaches you to unselfishly believe in yourself. The pictures in the older edition are as up to date as the lesson they teach.
If you have a child and you want them to believe in themself, this is a great way to encourage them. Please vote if this did help you.
13 people found this helpful
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The complete original story and all the original illustrations!

My grandson’s favorite as baby. He’s two now and still wants this read to him.
He’s fascinated with trains.
This is the classic story with the same illustrations that I remember from childhood. This book contains matins the complete original story.
The board book is not the same as the original! It does not gave the complete story nor all of the original illustrations!
This edition is wonderful.
Fragile pages so you may want to buy one copy for now and a second for later!
7 people found this helpful
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Original edition

Great price! Nice sturdy hardcover book! Classic
6 people found this helpful
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Love this book; hate this edition

My 3-year-old loves this book, so I bought him a new copy to replace his tattered old one. I highly recommend this book, which is delightful, especially for train-loving little ones. This edition, however, was poorly edited, in my opinion. The illustrations don't match up with the words. The sentences break up in the middle of the page. Anyone who reads to children knows that they enjoy pointing at pictures and anticipating the next event. However, it's very confusing for them when the words and pictures aren't in synch. I bought him another version that had other little blue engine stories, and it was a big hit.
6 people found this helpful
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Excellent Book in Excellent Condition

I have loved this book since I was young and I was so excited to get it for my sister who is having a baby. It came in excellent condition.
5 people found this helpful
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Platt & Munk Make Crap & Junk

Five stars for the book's content, one star for the poor binding (2008 Printing). This is one of our top twenty titles but it has held up far less well than other hardbacks of similar size and reading frequency. It has an inferior binding adhesive, no stitching whatever, and is little better than a stack of brochures leafed together between covers. I have Scotch tape on about every other page junction and will need to tape the remaining joins if we continue to read this book. Don't pass on the title but look for another edition!
5 people found this helpful
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A CHILDRENS SUCCESS CLASSIC

As a parent of three, one of the most important things I can give my children is motivation.
The attitude that he or she CAN DO ANYTHING IF THEY THINK THEY CAN DO IT.
By reading this story over and over again, the message will go into their conscious and subconscious mind and my hope is that they will follow their dreams and become all they are able to become.
Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated
What better gift can a parent give their child than believing in them?
5 people found this helpful

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