I Knew You Could!: A Book for All the Stops in Your Life (Little Engine That Could)
Grade 3 Up-The same little blue engine "that could" is back, with a new author and illustrator. This time it is encouraging readers to choose the track that best suits their interests and talents and forge ahead on life's journey. Dorfman suggests that though there will be "deep river valleys" and "high mountaintops," dark tunnels and uncharted territory, "I think I can" should be their clarion cry. The rhyming text often does not scan and forced rhymes such as "toured"/"aboard" are sprinkled throughout. Ong's illustrations feature pastel colors and a train that looks very much like its forebear. Children and adults of different ethnic groups and genders greet it on its route. While this is a pleasant book with a much-needed message of confidence and perseverance, that message can only be understood by older children and adults. To pair it with illustrations that have a definitely "young" look makes for an uncomfortable fit. And this text breaks no ground that has not already been mined in Dr. Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Random, 1990). Although "I think I can" has entered into the American lexicon and conjures up pleasant memories of the earlier book, this one is an additional purchase at best, especially if the Seuss book is on the shelf.Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CTCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.