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When young Bobby's parents decide to travel by train to see his grandmother, he doesn't see how it could be better than going by car. Trains used to seem exciting, but some time has passed, and he is unsure if they will still have the same magic for him. However, his parents stress that it will be a good experience, so Bobby decides to give it a chance. When they arrive at the station and board the train, his family gets a train car all to themselves for the duration of the trip. Bobby takes note of the spaciousness of the train car, the way the scenery flows past outside, and the distinct sounds made by the train as it moves. They enjoy a wonderful meal in the dining car, and Bobby takes a nap when they return to their train car. By the time they reach where his grandmother lives, Bobby has a newfound appreciation for train travel.
Traveling by train is something a lot of children are sure to enjoy, especially once they know what it involves. They might assume at first, like Bobby, that trains are just another form of car. However, one place where this story truly shines is in highlighting all the sights and sounds encountered during the process. It presents riding a train as a magical experience, akin to flying in an airplane or riding on a ship, which can get children excited to try the same thing. The illustrations that go along with the text give young readers another way to follow along on Bobby's train ride; in many ways, they feel like photographs later saved as mementos of a family trip. In other words, they are gifts shared with other relatives and future generations eager to learn about that special time in their lives. As such, this story is perfect for introducing children to trains and getting them excited for train rides.