The Little Engine That Could

Do you remember the Watty Piper book The Little Engine That Could from your childhood? Or perhaps you have read it to your children or grandchildren?

I am the librarian in a school that is over 50 years old. Back in 1978, before I was there, the school suffered a fire which resulted in total damage of the library and other rooms. A new library was built, but there were no books. All the other elementary schools were asked to donate duplicate copies of books, or books that they did not want, so that the library could be back in business. Consequently, when I came along about 10 years ago, there were still many old books in the collection. Some are in such bad shape that I have to remove them from our collection, but there are others which are passable and might even fetch a little money if they could be up for sale.

One book that is still hanging around is the 1954 Platt & Munk Co. edition of The Little Engine That Could. I recently discovered a 2005 edition with new art work by one of my favorite children's author/illustrators, Loren Long. Much of his art work is remeniscent of the WPA artwork from the mid-1930's, particularly the landscapes of Grant Wood.

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper.
Illustrations by Loren Long. Copyright 2005

Here are the two styles, taken from the same area of the story that reads: "Up, up, up. Faster and faster and faster and faster the little engine climbed, until at last they reached the top of the mountain." Sorry for the poor quality of the page above...check out the book from the library to see the beauty of this new artwork.

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper.
Illustrations by George & Doris Hauman.
Copyright 1954

I love what Loren Long has done with this classic. He has turned dated art into illustrations that breathe life into every page. It's a real treat to enjoy an old story in a new way.