THE SLEEPER TRAIN... ALL ABOARD!

I'm very nostalgic about trains, though I only rode on one once, as a child, for a very short trip. (Or occasionally at the zoo with kids!). Sleeping at our grandparents' Kentucky home meant vibrating through the night to the rumble of trains as they passed by just thirty feet across the road.  Or "racing" trains on tracks parallel to the highway as Dad drove us to Kentucky and back to Ohio, counting train cars, hoping that the man in the caboose would wave back when they inevitably passed us up. My bucket list still includes a cross-country train trip. We'll see....

Candlewick Press, 2025

Meanwhile, back to picture books! THE SLEEPER TRAIN obviously appealed to me from the start. It depicts experiences rooted in a culture halfway around the planet but offering universal connection in its emotional explorations and memories. Written by Mick Jackson and illustrated by Baljinder Kaur, this is a delightfully illustrated story of a girl and her family as they travel to visit relatives. The train itself frames the story, as the girl's first-person narration reveals her family's journey, her excitement about using a fold-down bed in their cabin, and then her struggle to fall asleep. As might be predicted, readers join her in viewing the station, their night travels through and near cities, and her struggle to calm herself and fall asleep. Then, page turns each reveal her memory of strategies to deal with  sleeplessness. 

There will be plenty of readers who find the vibrant and detailed illustrations both welcome and familiar, a rare opportunity to see themselves and their homeland on picture book pages. For others, though, this will be less a mirror and more of a window or sliding door to a world filled with new images and locations, yet deeply familiar experiences. She activates her past efforts to find sleep, remembering happy times: a recent vacation, napping at the beach under a soothing sun, family camping, and even a scary time in the hospital when her family stayed at her side to comfort her. Her memories reveal that such universal experiences are global, while the specifics in culture, clothing, and styles clearly reveal their Middle-East/South Asian  setting. Morning brings the family to the dining car and the final page turn is utterly perfect. (Another memory to be recalled on some sleepless night in the future). 

For anyone traveling, during holidays or otherwise, this is a rich experience, a delight for eyes and hearts.💕 Trainlovers will be delighted, and parents of struggling sleepers will appreciate the self-regulation strategies described. Kids will be begging for train rides!  If that isn't in the foreseeable future (or even if it IS), check out Marsha Diane Arnold's recent BIG BOY, HERE.

BLUE! A Powerful Portrait of Realism and Magic!

LITTLE, BROWN, and COMPANY, 2025

My own writing is currently toggling between fiction and nonfiction projects, with careful attention to when and how various aspects of each interact or affect the purpose of the particular writing. In the case of BLUE, written and illustrated by best-selling Suzanne Kaufman, I found myself considering those two sides of this remarkable and beautiful new release. It's grand example of how a seemingly simple fictional talecan provide elaborate informational content through visual detail and superb storytelling.

Although I'd love nothing more than to be a visual-arts creator, especially one of this calibre, such skills do carry with them the mixed blessing of having your amazing illustrations nearly overwhelm equally gorgeous text. That's especially true when the text has been honed to such excellence. Not a syllable or word or line is used more than necessary to enhance and ignite even further the jubilant scenes and storytelling of the visual narrative. 

A stripe-shirted, high-booted universal-ish child and an utterly authentic BLUE HERON engage in  displays and activities that reveal the nature and brilliance of both species. Readers splash right onto the page for an exuberant celebration of friendship and shared joy.

Only because i have lived on a waterfront with some nearly-tame herons would I imagine this is anything other than fantasy. Instead, I see it as magical realism, with depictions of authentic  encounters, images, interactions, posturing, and scenes that ultimately extend into fantastical imaginings. 

Within the cycle of a full day, the adventures resolve into a powerfully soothing, peace-filled bedtime conclusion.

As noted, the images alone provide that story, beautifully and naturally. Yet the superbly suited minimal text makes the experience even more engaging. Take time to appreciate the ways in which this talented artist structured a timeless story to voice to her imaginings. The perfect balance of eyes and ears, of action and mood, of excitement and calm are worthy of appreciation. I'll continue to wish for such artistic talent for myself, while feeling deeply grateful for those who have and share their art and storytelling with the rest of us. Don't miss this one.