Inside: Looking for read-aloud inspiration for your little train lover? We’ve reviewed the best train books for toddlers to find you adorable books your child will go crazy for! Read on to get the scoop and find your child’s next favorite book.
I’ll never forget my son’s second Christmas. Of course, it’s stuck in my mind partly because my husband and I spent four hours assembling a train track in our living room.
Oh yeah, we love to reminisce about that bit of fun.
But more importantly, I’ll never forget the look on my son’s face that Christmas morning. He was speechless. Literally. Which was kind of a big deal for him.
You see, in our house we love trains. When I say we love trains, I mean we really love trains.
We race outside to look at the trains passing by Grandma’s house.
Every single train. From engine to caboose. Every single time. Yay!
My son loves toy trains, real trains, and hearing grandpa’s crazy (but true!) story about how the circus train parked in front of their house one night.
But he especially loves trains in books. He can’t get enough of his favorite train books.
Do you have a train-lover in your family? Searching for a few more train books your toddler will adore?
Without further ado, I give you our favorite train books for toddlers. All aboard!
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10 Train Books Kids They’ll Love
#1: Trains
What a perfect little book! The illustrations are bright, with primary colors and bold lines.
Travel with the conductor of a passenger train as he chugs past cities, rattles by towns, and finally makes his way to the train station.
When my son was a toddler, he loved echoing the “All aboard!” of the little conductor. This is part of a wonderful series including Planes and Trucks.
Find Trains on Amazon.
#2: The Little Engine That Could
This one’s a classic for sure. There’s just something about the repetitive prose that echoes the earnest, rhythmic music of trains. The first time I read this to my son, I was amazed at how it captured his attention!
This version boasts bold new illustrations by Loren Long (not the familiar clown you remember, but so engaging!), complete with a wonderful fluffy purple stuffed elephant as a train passenger.
You’ll soon be echoing the encouraging phrase over and over, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!” If you prefer the original illustrations, try this classic version instead.
Find The Little Engine That Could on Amazon
#3: Freight Train
This Caldecott Winner is a keeper for so many reasons. With its beautiful prose and rainbow of bright and simple illustrations, Freight Train is a classic.
It somehow captures the excitement and transient nature of trains. Now you see it, now you don’t!
In addition to being train themed, this book is also fabulous for teaching colors to young toddlers. Each car on the freight train is illustrated in a color of the rainbow.
So smart. Short and sweet, your train-lover will adore reading and learning with this book.
Find Freight Train on Amazon
#4: Steam Train, Dream Train
This gorgeously-illustrated book is perfect for bedtime! The repetition is wonderful for toddlers in the pre-reader stage. Rhyming phrases are honestly so much fun to read!
Tag along as the train cars are loaded up one at a time. Your toddler will love all the silliness!
Find Steam Train, Dream Train on Amazon.
#5: Dinosaur Rescue
Race along with a crew of dinosaurs as they chase after a runaway train! This brightly-illustrated book is fun to read, with both detailed pictures and quick, lively text.
The adventure will keep your little train-lover on the edge of his seat!
Find Dinosaur Rescue on Amazon.
#6: How to Train a Train
Ever wondered what it would be like to have a train as a pet? In this whimsical book, your child will laugh along as he learns how to take care of his pet train.
The illustrations are gorgeous, and you’ll adore the cheeky humor in this book!
Find How to Train a Train on Amazon.
#7: Trains Chug
This cute little board book is your child’s perfect glimpse at real trains. The real-life photos make this non-fiction book a great fit for babies and toddlers who love trains.
The repeating sounds in this book are wonderful for reading aloud with your child!
Find Trains Chug on Amazon.
#8: My Big Train Book
This fun book is a great resource for train loving kids. It has tons of colorful photos of trains from all over the world.
Your little one will love reading about the many types of trains!
Find My Big Train Book on Amazon.
#9: Trainstop
My son loves this sweet little train book. It’s quite a departure from the other books on this list!
This wordless book tells a story of a girl who takes a train to another magical land. You can help your child can make up his own narrative during storytime.
Or just let him get lost in the illustrations when he reads alone. The illustrations are so creative and fun!
Either way, this book is a wonderful creativity-booster!
Find Trainstop on Amazon.
#10: The Polar Express
Would any list of train books for toddlers be complete without this classic? Journey aboard the Polar Express in search of the magic of Christmas.
With stunning illustrations and a memorable story, this book is perfect to enjoy for the holidays or all year round!
Find The Polar Express on Amazon.
Ten train-themed classics, each unique and fun in its own way. These picks are sure to be instant favorites for your little train lover!
Your Turn
What book does your train-loving toddler love most? Did we miss a favorite?
We can’t wait to hear your picks! Share your favorite train books in the comments below.
We love trains too! One of our favorite books is Steam Train, Dream Train.