I'm Fast!
With a “Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrum,” a red sports car challenges a train engine to a race. But first the train loads lumber on the flatcar, bricks in the gondola, steel on the coil car, gas in the tank car, and gravel in the hopper. Once the engine builds up speed, there is no stopping him. He takes tunnels through mountains and warns cows off the track. Even city traffic (including the red car) halts while he chugs to his destination. The mighty engine politely offers the sports car a ride back. On the checkerboard endpapers and throughout the story, the engine is Mr. Personality: big, confident, and friendly. The text moves along in a satisfying way, though interruptions can be expected, as kids stop the action to identify the cars and their contents again and again. Featuring big, bold images, the artwork creates a strong thrust from left to right in nearly every scene while adding plenty of variation and visual interest along the way. Train fans will love this. Preschool-Grade 1. --Carolyn Phelan