Tootle knows he must stop for every red flag, and there are so many that he can't avoid them. But Tootle disobeys this rule he can't resist going to play in the meadow.Įventually the problem is solved as the mayor of Lower Trainswitch gives everyone a red flag, and they all hide behind bushes and other places in the meadow. The story of Tootle tells how the baby locomotives are trained to do their job, and the most important rule is to Stay On The Rails No Matter What.
It has colourful illustrations in a cartoonish style, and is associated with the Walt Disney corporation. This is a "Little Golden Book" a series which was very popular in the USA and Australia. Tootle is the American version, from 1945.
Awdry, much smaller books which also followed the adventures of various small locomotives of different colours, with faces.
They were contemporary with the early "Thomas the Tank Engine books" by the Rev. Tootle reminds me of "The Little Blue Engine Stories" by Ursula Hourihane, published in Great Britain shortly after World War Two. (which probably says a lot in itself about the content)It may be a bit much (okay it IS)but, as a mother has read this story as many times as I have this one,(sometimes as many as three times in one night, and it is, for a bedtime story a long one)over a 3 year period,well it drives one to pick it apart.Īnd yes, I do tell my four year old that Tootle should be allowed paid holidays in which to view the meadow he so adored,as well as a new set of buffers every six months. There.Finally my brief critical analysis of a Golden book designed for children some 40-50 years ago. Tootle, you're a flyer train- you know your place-now get back to work! And after being tricked by the entire township- he does. Work and strict obediance to rules over quiet reflection. Yes, a children's book that touts the importance of the coal blackned lungs of the Industrial Revoultion in place of the Romantic reverance of nature. But Bill, head engineer of the School for Engines and "The Mayor Himself" taught you that it was foolish for an engine to get lost looking at hollyhock flowers when he could be the fastest flyer since "old 300". Tootle,Tootle, all you wanted to do was "dip and soar" like the butterflies you admired in the meadow of Lower Trainswitch.
0 kommentar(er)
