A Book for All the Stops in Your Life (The Little Engine That Could)

This is absolutely one of THE BEST books I ever read! Your children have to be a little older to truly understand it! I read it to my 11 and 13 year old and it was just perfect! It teaches about life's up and downs while encouraging your audience they CAN DO IT!!!! I loved it! It was first introduced to me by a mom who came in to read it to my first grade class! So inspiring and heartwarming!

This is a wonderful book for all ages, very insightful. I read it to a group of adult friends who were all amazed how it was relevant to some aspect in their lives that they were dealing with. Several of them ordered books for themselves

A soft cover copy of this book “I knew you could” was given to me at my high school graduation by a dear family friend and inside the cover she had written the most loving meaningful letter to me about how far I had come in life and how far I was going to go and that she was excited to be there along the way and watch me on the journey! That simple gift means so much to me! Now that I have my own children I want to give them each something that will bring that feeling of love and acceptance for them that I feel when I read this book. I decided to replicate the graduation gift idea but with a little spin! I purchased this hardcover book so that each year my sons teachers can write him a special note inside and at his high school graduation I will present it to him. I think this book it is a much more "man friendly" gift option that can be easily saved throughout the years for me to take to each grade and afterwards for my son to take with him to college and off into life. So far we have 2 years of preschool teachers, kindergarten and he just started 1st grade. I have a while but I am so glad that I have this book to have loving words added to along the way.
The book itself is hardcover with a protective sleeve. Great quality and the book I remember and love so much!

If you have a son or daughter or friend graduating from high school or college, this book describes their upcoming journey as seen through the eyes of the train. It is perfect. I plan to order a few more to save!

The book was rated GOOD, when it had 4 pages with crayon marks all over them. The front page had a larger, black marker inscription. The cover had chocolate stains on it, which I was able to wash off with a wet cloth. Next time, pls check pages for damage and clean the book before it is mailed, especially if you are going to label it GOOD.

I can't believe the heaps and praises for this book. Any thing you could say positive from this book is based on it being a clear derivative, if not an outright rip off of Dr. Seuss' "Oh, The Place You'll Go." I got less than a page into this book when I was instantly reminded of the far superior Seuss work (both in text, subtext, and illustrations). The following day I read it again for my kids and I asked my wife if she had heard the book yet. She assumed it was going to be a derivative of "The Little Engine That Could" but again, within 1 page she rolled her eyes at what a blatant copying this book is. Yes, it changes the story to map to the train motif, but that really doesn't create enough of a difference to make this a unique work. I'm not familiar with any other work by this Author, so I hate to categorize him, but really any hack can follow a similar rhyme scheme and write inspirational verse. The illustrations are also nothing to set this above a low grade book. If you were to speak to this author and he didn't say he was inspired directly by Seuss and used his book as a template (to put it mildly) he would be a liar. To not acknowledge Seuss within this book in some way is what really angered me. I suppose it you never read the Seuss book you might thing this is a great book (because the book it takes from is A+) - but if you are a fan of the Seuss book I don't see how you can look at this and not feel some irritation at the infringement.

Don't you just love a childrens book that is entertaining and has a message, this is a very important lesson that we all live every day of our lives.
All people both little and big we are all the blue engine with the multitude of tracks, which represent the directions we go in life.
Here come the tracks as were puffing along in life and each track leads us to a possibly different future, and while on that track, trying to puff along, a whole new series of tracks appear and another decision on which track to take which leads us yet another way in life.
It's a huge journey of life that every human has to take as they lead their lives and Craig Dorfman does an excellent job of showing us that mystery that we face even as children, with a very entertaining story that my 4 year old loves. Great job Craig, I applaud you.
This is a Scholastic soft covered book that came home from her preschool.

We've been reading this book for the past 5 years or so in my house. Almost every page has been ripped and taped back together and the cover is barely holding on for child #3. But my children as well as I keep returning to this book. It has wonderful illustrations and is immediately accessible to children young and old. I love the connection to the little engine that could and the messages are heartfelt and thought-provoking.

One final thought, and this one deserves it's own paragraph. The rhyming couplets are perfect. Instead of the cliche and lazy rhymes that characterize so many children's books, they are delightful and interesting without being overly clever. The meter, which is another element children's books often let slide, is also spot on. This makes reading the book a joy. For any first time parents out there, this is more important than you realize since you will possibly, like me, still be reading the same books 5 years down the road.

Recommended without reservation. This one is worth your time and money.

I Knew You Could! is a book to encourage children of all ages to learn to try new things, take on challenges and stick to reaching goals while having fun, making friends and enjoying life along the way. This little book is full of possible discussions with children about building self esteem, trying new things, sticking with a difficult problem to find a solution and to have fun too. I love using it to open discussions in the classroom on a wide variety of subjects and ideas and let the children take the discussion where their interests are strongest. This is a great book for any teacher to use for motivation.

I love the words enough that I'm going to buy it for my teenager. The illustrations are fine in terms of quality, but I wish the train looked a little less "goofy". I realize that's just my opinion though. I think this type of book, while still a "children's" book will resonate more with adolescents and young adults who have experienced more going through the "dark tunnel" and learning that if you keep going you will find the light of the exit even if it seems to take a long time. That you don't have to be born with believing in yourself, that you can learn it as a skill. If the illustrations were geared more towards that audience it'd be 5 stars.

I would give this book ten stars if I could! I just love this book. I am a teacher and mother. I bought this book for my class and fell in love with it. It is a perfect follow up of the classic "I Think I Can". It's wordier, and is for a higher level reader, however if you are the parent or teacher reading it, you will love it. I LOVE IT! It's meaningful, encouraging, colorful and rhymes. It flows very smoothly and makes an excellent gift for that graduating Kindergartener and/or that very special someone in your life.

This is a perfect book for graduation gifts. It has a powerful life message and is very inspirational. I even bought one for each of my young children. They love the graphics and colors. Throughout the year, I add quotes and funny things they say inside the pages and when they graduate high school, I will give it to them for keepsake. This book is amazing!!

This book is similar to Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the Places You Will Go." Both books are about encouraging others as they start new life journeys. I have heard Dr. Seuss's book read at many graduations and "I Knew that You Could" would make a wonderful graduation gift for any child either graduating from kindergarten or high school or even college. The pictures are well suited for younger children and older kids will appreciate the meaningful text written by a brilliant author.

They use the train to talk about chosing your track. My son got this from his kindergarten teacher, his understanding is that its about meeting new friends, which it is and so much more. Because the train is a metaphor for the journey thru life, I think this book can be appreciated by many ages. The pictures are geared towards little kids but certainly it has more subtle messages about how to deal with the "tunnels" in life and not looking back. This is a keeper!

Not for a kid. This is a graduation gift for a 17 year old girl. Not a train obsessed little boy. Oh well, I own it now, so when my son wants me to read him a train book I work on things like voice inflection to keep him interested because he sure has no idea what all this life advice is.

In my opinion this book is NOT a book for young children even though the illustrations may appear so.
I just purchased this book for my soon-to-be graduating from high school daughter.
While I haven't been able to read the book all the way through without getting teary-eyed, I can tell this is THE perfect book for her.
Like the train, she has had some stops, mountain tops & dark tunnels along the way.

I love it!

What a wonderful book! I bought this book for my three year old son who loves trains and the original "The Little Engine That Could." What a surpise as I read this book to my son! It is filled with beautiful rhymes and life advice. It talks about choosing the right track and the stops you'll make along the way. It tells the reader to stay positive and keep going when times get rough. The words are powerful, and my son enjoys the bright illustrations. My son has asked me to read this book to him many times, and I never tire of it! It sends such a positive message.

My statistics teacher read this book to me on the last day of high school, and it was such a meaningful book to end the year with. Although it is meant to be a childrens' book, this book has messages that can apply to anyone at any age. It is a book that both a child and parents would enjoy, and so I highly recommend it to everyone.

This book is wisely written and will captivate readers of all ages. There is a greater meaning behind each rhyming verse than children will understand and that adults will appreciate. It is a great "pick me up" book that comes highly suggested!

I feel like this book was written just for me! A friend gave this to me while I was going through a difficult trial. It inspired me to keep moving forward with faith in my life. A treasure fot anyone needing comfort and reassurance that they can make it through anything, even the hard stops in their lives.

This is a book that follows the I Think I Can Book, about the little train, It is a wonderful book for anyone that needs a little boost of self-esteem, or courage. It is perfect for those that are graduating or who have completed a difficult task in their life. I would recommend it to anyone.

I was given this book by my cousin for my high school graduation. I read it after my party was all over and my friends had gone home. I sat in my room and read through the book with tears welling up in my eyes. It was a gift that meant more to me than money, or a coffee maker, which was a gift from another cousin which I know will be very usefull in college, could ever compare. Don't get me wrong, money and coffee are good things, but I can imagine this book getting me through some interesting and possibly hard times in the future. The inspiration is greatly appreciated.

We bought this book to read to our 2 sons when they were babies, they are now 10 and 7 and I still read it to them on occasion, even though they are capable of reading it alone. It reminds me of the potential we see in them as parents and the potential we hope they see in themselves, even when the road gets a bit rough. It also reminds us sometimes as parents that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that things can't always be perfect.

I am an elementary school teacher and also the mother of 4. My oldest is graduating from high school this year. After I read this book, I bought several. One for my son and several for his friends. I also sent it to my nephew that is leaving for a mission to Honduras for the next 2 years. It's a perfect book for those that are heading off in new directions in their lives and it gives them advice and encouragement! I love it!

This book was a gift to my son from his preschool teacher this June. We LOVE it! When you read it you will too! Effortless rhyming --- It parallels life, and the many paths or "tracks" we all take. The good the bad, and all in between. The entire book is a wonderful metaphor for life,(without getting too deep) and will be a cherished book in our home. My son is only 3 1/2, but I look forward to him understanding the book more and more as he ages. A MUST have!!!

I got this book for my best friends son who just moved away from home for the first time. My three year old loves it as well. The positive message this book sends about trying new things and doing what is right for you, and occassionally having to change your plan is an important message that we can't hear enough or early enough. Great message in a fun, engaging book for all ages-- especially if you love trains!

Whether or not you or your honoree grew up listening to or reading The Little Engine that Could, you'll find this book to be the perfect way to say, "I'm proud of you, graduate. I always knew that you had the ability and would put forth the effort to be successful."

This is a great alternative to other frequently given books like The Places You Will Go.

This is a wonderful book! It goes a step beyond the "Little Engine That Could"--it is all about the faith people close to a child have in the childs ability to take on the tasks of life. Every grandparent should own this book to read to all their grandchildren. Grownups will enjoy it as well.

I purchased this book for my daughter. I felt it was the perfect gift for someone who is graduating from high school. The message about tracks taken and/or not taken in life is especially relevant to young adults as they begin to venture out into the world. My daughter thought it was great and she believes the message will be valuable throughout her life.

I bought this book for a boy who I work with and I fall in love. I found it in great time cause feel down right now. And this simple book helped me stand up and look at my life from different perspective. Now will buy it for every kid or special people in my life