The Mighty Steam Engine - Hardcover

by Yvonne Ng (Author), Richard Smythe (Illustrator)

"An excellent title for classroom libraries . . . train enthusiasts will be particularly captivated."--School Library Journal

Using the rhyming poetic structure of This is the House that Jack Built, author Yvonne Ng takes young readers on a cumulative path through the inner workings of a steam engine, from the big wheels rolling on the tracks all the way to the engineer driving the train.

Fun sound effects and repetition give the sense of a moving train, making The Mighty Steam Engine a great picture book to read aloud. Richard Smythe's charming illustrations show travelers on a journey across the countryside, and simple cutaway diagrams with labels show readers the inner parts of the train. An author's note at the end explains the concept of reverse engineering and how adults can explore how things work with kids.

Perfect for STEM or STEAM lessons as well as a fun read-aloud for young train fans, this book will inspire readers to examine how things work.

Author Biography

Yvonne Ng has been curious about how things work throughout her career, which includes a Master's degree in mechanical engineering and years of working as an automation engineer. In addition to writing children's books, she develops STEM-related toys. She lives with her husband and son in Minneapolis, MN.

Richard Smythe has been drawing since he was a child-first on his bedroom walls, then on his sister's homework! After honing his skills with an art degree, he has illustrated several picture books including Watersong, which was named a 2018 Notable Poetry Book by the NCTE.