The Little Engine That Could

Reader Response: I vividly remember sitting in middle school science class listening as the teacher is talking about new concepts and discoveries for our new science unit. I was in 5th grade and I immediately knew that I was in a totally different ball game than my 4th grade friends. My eyes were glazed over and my mind in another galaxy. I also recall when it was time for my science tests. I could not engage, I could not find the silver lining. Science made me anxious, especially our unit assessments and I lost lots of confidence in myself and my ability to master science content and then execute on the test. The Little That Could is a great reminder, especially for elementary age students. In spite of great difficulty, whether self imposed or by unforeseen circumstances, The Little Engine That Could reminds children of their ability to overcome any obstacle. It is an easy read, even for lower readers and is entertaining, keeping the interest of the reader throughout the book.







Evaluator Response: This book includes lots of great imagery that helps the reader connect the emotions that flow throughout the story. The reader can view when the train is somber, sad and low on confidence. The reader can also see which will help them to feel the happy, vivacious emotions of the train when he is proud, confident and determined. Illustrations such as these help smaller children have a better understanding of the main idea, theme and meaning of  the text. This book is good for children who are beginning to read and for students that parents and teachers see struggling with confidence in the classroom.

Teacher Response: If I see a student who was a high performer on formative and summative assessments in some of the content and were a lower reader, I would give them this book to read and encourage them to know that they can do anything. Despite what is happening around them and amongst their peers, they can do whatever they put their mind to. I would especially give this book to a student struggling in literacy so that the student's confidence and performance can improve. If I were an elementary school teacher, and possibly even as a middle school teacher, I would read this book and others like it such as The Crown on Your Head  by Nancy Tillman and Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae, out loud to the class at least once a week.

Literacy Coach Response: The Little Engine that Could is a great book for our lower level reader's and struggling writers. I am immediately thinking of using this book to teach and practice creative forms of cultivating learning. Initially, I am thinking of having a lower level reading group during a guided or choice reading time to sketch-to-stretch. As I read and sometimes choral read with the students, depending upon their reading level, I will pause every two paragraphs or so and ask students to stop and sketch images that come to mind based on what we read. The Little Engine that Could, in this instance is simultaneously helping students to build self-confidence while also pushing their imagination and artistry to help them with comprehension.