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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This Caldecott-winning picture book tells four stories simultaneously: a boy on a train headed for a reunion; two children puzzled by the antics of their parents; people waiting for a train that is delayed; and a criminal who escapes. Or perhaps these are all one story. The frontispiece advises the reader to pay close attention to the pictures as well as the words.
It’s a clever concept and I’m sure children will delight in poring over the illustrations to find clues as to what is really happening. But I found the four stories distracting and not cohesive.
It’s a clever concept and I’m sure children will delight in poring over the illustrations to find clues as to what is really happening. But I found the four stories distracting and not cohesive.
annabannana's review against another edition
Fun! My kid and I enjoyed reading this together even though he’s now in middle school.
lannthacker's review against another edition
3.0
A cool quartet of intersecting stories. You could spend a long time talking about the connections between stories and even the title.
mnstucki's review against another edition
4.0
So intriguing, and I'll admit I was still trying to piece things together when I finished the book. But that open-ended element makes it great f0r kids to flex their imaginative skills!
sducharme's review against another edition
2.0
A series of four separate stories sharing a common thread (that's the mystery element). This reminds me of a beloved wordless book from my childhood: Thirteen. This is not as good as that. Strikes me as a book trying too hard to be clever.
cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
I'd forgotten how cool, if insanely confusing, this book is!
beths0103's review against another edition
3.0
I need to read this book with a group of kids. I have a feeling my encumbered adult brain is missing a whole heckuva lot.
librariandest's review against another edition
4.0
It seems crazy, but this is four stories being told simultaneously. It doesn't completely make sense, but it's really fun and the kind of book you'll want to read over and over again. Definitely for the more sophisticated picture book crowd.