Jingle the Brass

From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 3–Set in 1926, this story is narrated by an engineer who gives a boy the ride of his life on a freight train. Readers vicariously experience the sights and sounds of the journey, from watching the "ashcat" (locomotive fireman) feed "black diamonds" (coal) into the firebox to inspecting the brakes on curving tracks, and, of course, "jingling the brass" (blowing the whistle). The emphasis is on the nuts and bolts of the operation of a steam locomotive as well as on the related slang. There is a glossary at the end, although many of the terms will be understood in context. In fact, the pictures and the text match beautifully, and provide additional clues. The paintings have a quick sketchiness reminiscent of James Stevenson's work; they are packed with details and show a sparsely populated, mountainous landscape. People and machines have lots of movement, personality, and historical flavor. This will be great fun for kids who like trains–and history and colorful language.