This book is awesome.
Especially this part:


I love those giant fairy wings.
Now I want a train of my very own! I think I'd call it Chester. Or Trainsley. ( )

This book will make sure you know everything there is to know if you want a pet train. It makes you use your imagination to find ways to catch trains and sucker them in to coming home with you. The book compares a train to a dog with the different things it may like, and the different tricks you can teach it to do. At the end of the book, the author makes sure he gives you a paragraph explaining that some of the things in the book are actually not safe to do, but they are in the book so your imagination can paint a picture for you. ( )

How do you train your train? Need help? Check this book out to learn how to catch a live train, train your pet train, name your train, play with your train, and care for your new friend. All of your friends will be impressed with your knowledge of pet train behavior! There are also incredible pictures included to help illustrate different train personalities and needs. Consider yourself lucky to have such a resource at your fingertips! Pet trains and train training should be enjoyed by children and parents alike. I definitely recommend this book!

Ashley C. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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Every kid wants a pet at some point, but not these kids. Jason Eaton writes a fun story about how to train a train rather than how to train a pet. This book is great for kids who enjoy great illustrations, an easier read, and locomotives. All ages can enjoy this book. ( )

See full review @ The Indigo Quill: http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com/2014/05/review-how-to-train-train-by-jason.ht...

With rhythmic absurdity, Jason Carter Eaton teaches your kid the necessities and responsibilities of choosing the perfect pet train. Yes, you read that correctly. Some kids want dogs, others prefer cats, but this is for the child akin to the locomotive.

First, let's take a look at those illustrations. Don't they make you happy by just looking at them? It makes me want to go out and lasso a wild train myself! The colors are extravagant and the illustrator does a fabulous job creating movement in each. I love the realistic vintage-like feel of the artwork and the smoothness of the images. I give the illustrator 5 stars.


Jason Carter Eaton narrates this funny little How-To book with silliness that people of all ages can enjoy. After learning how to catch a train, the reader will learn how to train and care for it. He even tells you how to reward it! The reader is given several tips throughout the book that they probably didn't even know where incumbent in at-home "Train care":

Try saying, “My, what a handsome train you are.” Next, make the call of the wild train: “CHUGGA-CHUGGA, CHUGGA-CHUGGA!”

Although the concept is adorably entertaining, there's a slight risk this book may encourage kids to attempt catching a train if they find themselves in a position to do so. This might sound ridiculous, but freak accidents happen, and I think it's important to inform your child that this is all part of using their imagination and not something they should try when enjoying a family picnic. Luckily, the author provides a disclaimer explaining this, but it may do you well to communicate the seriousness of the matter:

While the author believes that it would indeed be wonderful to track, own, and train one’s very own train, he does not suggest that you make a practice of standing in the middle of train tracks. Just as he does not suggest swimming in a train’s bathtub without adult supervision, or traveling to the desert without an adequate water supply and SPF 1000 sunblock, or building a fire by yourself, or operating a train without the proper paperwork, or disobeying traffic laws, or walking across a train trestle several thousand feet up from the ground. All of these things are extremely dangerous and should be performed only by fully trained illustrated characters.

This is a delightful book filled with all sorts of artistry and humor. I would recommend this book to add to your shelf. Your children will enjoy the illustrations and rhythm. I can't say there is a true educational value here, but you are sure to be entertained nonetheless! ( )