Are you looking for some Trains children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Trains are such a wonderful theme and are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these train books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Trains, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
In this tale, a long train must be pulled over a high mountain after its engine breaks down. Larger engines are asked to pull the train; but for various reasons they refuse. The request is sent to a small engine, who agrees to try. The engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating its motto: “I-think-I-can”.
The story of the little engine has been told and retold many times. The underlying theme is the same, a stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it on over difficult terrain to its destination. Only the little blue engine is willing to try and, while repeating the mantra “I think I can, I think I can”, overcomes a seemingly impossible task.
Literacy Extensions:
- Trains Word Bank
- “Trains” Student Counting Booklet
- Q-Tip Trains Art Project
- Trains Build a Word Game
2. Freight Train by Donald Crew
In simple, powerful words and vibrant illustrations, the author evokes the rolling wheels of that childhood favorite: a train. This board book features sturdy pages and is just the right size for little hands. This Caldecott Honor Book features bright colors and bold shapes.
Even a child not lucky enough to have counted freight cars will feel he or she has watched a freight train passing after reading Freight Train. The author uses childhood memories of trains seen during his travels to his grandparents’ farm in the American South as the inspiration for this timeless favorite.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Trains Are” Classroom Book
- “My Trains” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Trains & Cars
- Trains Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Late one Christmas Eve after the town has gone to sleep, the boy boards the mysterious train that waits for him: the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. When he arrives, Santa offers the boy any gift he desires. The boy modestly asks for one bell from the harness of the reindeer. The gift is granted.
On the way home the bell is lost. On Christmas morning, the boy finds the bell under the tree. The mother of the boy admires the bell, but laments that it is broken for you see, only believers can hear the sound of the bell.
“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.”
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Riding on a Train”
- Student Booklet: “Trains Counting”
- Trains Counting Math Game
- My Train Story: Student Worksheets
4. The Little Train by Lois Lenski
In this adventure, Engineer Small drives his little train from Tinytown to the city-and back. Along the way, the little train passes tunnels and stops at stations to pick up cargo and passengers.
Presented in full color for the first time, this book will delight a whole new generation of readers as they learn all about the ins and outs of a working train. Mr. Small does it all!
Literacy Extensions:
- Trains Literature List
- Trains Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Trains Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Trains Shapes Project
5. Trains by Susan E. Goodman
The reader is introduced to trains of all shapes and sizes doing what they do best: hauling freight, carrying passengers, and zooming at speeds close to 400 miles per hour!
Readers will encounter the Jacobite, a Scottish train that plays the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. They will learn about the great steam locomotives that crossed the United States, joining east and west in 1869. And they will learn about the different technologies; steam, diesel, electric, and electromagnetic that continue to make trains an important part of our modern world.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Riding on a Train” Classroom Book
- Trains Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Trains Art Project
- Trains Number & Ten Frames
6. The Little Red Caboose by Kristen L. Depken
This Step 1 Step into Reading title has been adapted for early readers from the classic Little Golden Book by Marian Potter. Freshly illustrated in the style of the original book, this sweet tale about the Little Red Caboose who saves a train from slipping down a steep mountain is the perfect addition to the Step into Reading line.
Step 1 readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.
Literacy Extensions:
- Trains Word Bank
- Trains Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Trains Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Trains Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Trains by Elisha Cooper
A night train, a freight train, a high-speed train. Racing across the country, from coast to coast. All aboard! Climb aboard a red-striped Commuter Train in the East. Switch to a blue Passenger Train rolling through midwestern farmland.
Then hop on a Freight Train, soar over mountains on an Overnight Train, and finish on a High-Speed Train as it races to the West Coast. Trains are moving. Fast and loud, colorful, and powerful. Experience their sights, sounds, smells and the engineers and conductors who make them go as they roll across the country.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Trains Senses” Student Booklet
- Trains Make a Short Vowel Word
- Trains Sight Word Games
- Trains Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown
From two-time Caldecott Medal-winning artists Leo and Diane Dillon and beloved children’s book author Margaret Wise Brown comes Two Little Trains. With simple, bouncy text and soft, beautiful illustrations, this story is perfect for fans of things that go!
Two little trains went down the track, Two little trains went West. Puff, Puff, Puff and Chug, Chug, Chug, Two little trains to the west.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Favorite Train Cards” Classroom Book
- Trains Letter & Sound Match Game
- Trains Build a Word
- Trains Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Trains children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Trains books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
