Susan Kuklin

HERE'S A LOOK INSIDE THE BOOK!

Photographing ALL ABOARD was an amazing experience. Not only did I get to travel to one of the most beautiful parts of America, I met wonderful, dedicated, fun people. After a very short while I felt as if the trains were alive. They were powerful, fire-breathing dragons, each with her own personality. I decided to interview my new friends, the trains. And they had a lot to say. I taped their whoo-whoo-whoos, clickety-clacks, and squeak-squeaks as they traveled up and down the mountains. Later, I added the train sounds to the story. This way the trains can talk to you. And you can talk back. Try it. It's fun.

The School Library Journal says, "Young train enthusiasts will love this title.... The crisp, full-color photos are accompanied by short descriptive phrases ... and the text is rhythmic."

Booklist says, "... the minimal text is like poetry: "Fire blazing / Water steaming / Chugga-chugga / Wheels rolling."... this well-designed book brims with bright color and exceptional photographs.... The accompanying text has some great descriptive words (clickety-clack, hisssss, whoo-whoo), which will introduce children to the concept of onomatopoeia. Kids will also pick up some basic train vocabulary, such as track, trestle, and smokestack.

The New York Public Library awarded All Aboard a "Best Book" for 2003 as did the Parent's Guide to Children's Media. HOORAY FOR TRAINS!

This is my first book published with Orchard Books, a division of Scholastic. I'm delighted to join the Scholastic family.