Locomotive

//**Locomotive**// Written and illustrated by Brian Floca

Book review by Kali Rogers

//Locomotive// Author and illustrator: Brian Floca Publisher: An imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing 2013 Format: Hardcover ($12.61 - Barnes and Noble) ISBN: 9781416994152 Reading Level: Grade 4 Pages: 64 Language: English
 * Bibliographical Data:**

Brian Floca is a picture book author and illustrator who was born and raised in Texas, and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to the Caldecott Medal, Brian's books have received four Robert F. Sibert Honor awards, a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators, and have twice been selected for The New York Times' annual 10 Best Illustrated Books list. Brian has answered telephones at Harvard University (part-time job) and taught continuing education and undergraduate classes at the School of Visual Arts, but he currently writes and illustrates full time.
 * Author Biography:**

The story takes us on an imaginary train journey as one would have experienced it from Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento, California in the summer of 1869, shortly after the first transcontinental railroad line was created. The book is extremely informative and goes into detail about every aspect of traveling by train in this time period including that fact that the train has to stop every 150 or 200 miles to get a new locomotive and crew, and the passengers must change trains once, at the junction between the Union Pacific line and the Central Pacific line. Floca helps he reader experience the sounds and sights of the journey, and teaches the reader about the passengers' experiences on the locomotive. He teaches us how the train operates, and even how the rail paths were chosen. Floca also creates a sense of excitement and danger as the train travels over a high, rickety bridge or through a dark mountain tunnel. Finally, the train arrives safely, where a welcoming family is waiting for the passengers.
 * Summary:**

I believe that //Locomotive// is a great book choice for children of all ages. Older children will appreciate the detail and history of the story, while younger children will enjoy the rhythm of the book as well as the sound effects throughout. This book truly has an energy about it that keeps the reader entranced and wanting to know more about the train from beginning to end. Floca's almost poetic phrases and beautiful images make this book deserving of the Caldecott Medal and Robert F. Sibert Honor awards.
 * Review:**

An important literary element of this book to analyze is its illustrations. The images that Floca has created bring the story to life. This is especially important when reading this book to young children who may not understand some of the more advanced vocabulary words. It creates further understanding of the story by providing a visual interpretation of the words being read. Also, children are not aware of what life was like in 1869, therefore the pictures allow them to see the world that Floca is describing in this book and experience it first hand as you can see in the images below:
 * Literary Element Analysis:**