All Aboard the Alaska Train
Written by Brooke Hartman
Illustrated by John Joseph
Ages: 4 – 8
Review by A.B. Greene
Chugga-chugga, clickety-clack,
Snag this book off the rack!
Inspired by her Alaskan railroad tour guide trainer mom, Brooke Hartman will have everyone in earshot dreaming of a wildlife safari from Seward to Fairbanks.
All Aboard the Alaskan Train’s rhyming prose is a hoot to read aloud, promising an interactive ride alongside the moose, porcupine, and caribou. It’s particularly fun searching for animals on the tour that only keen explorers will find. Illustrator John Joseph’s vivid and lively illustrations bring the Alaskan flora and fauna to life, making it a joy to track the whereabouts of the cute cast of critters. It doesn’t get much better than an otter in a bonnet, though the Northern Lights might have something to say about that.
Budding ferroequinologists (those who study trains as a hobby) will appreciate the back page devoted to identifying parts of the train. Be warned: when you travel on this fun adventure, you’ll be enticed to start saving for a trip to Alaska.
