The Thunderbolt Express

PreS-Gr 2—An eclectic crowd of monkeys boards the Thunderbolt Express. As the train rolls through hills and fields, Ms. Trixie knits a scarf, Mayday the detective reads a newspaper, and Janjo Jenkins and his Dixieland Band entertain. Trouble awaits as the unsuspecting passengers head toward a missing bridge and a river full of crocodiles. An emergency plan to make the train as light as possible sends instruments, clothing, and even Oscar the magician and his "vanishing cabinet" flying out the windows. With no brakes, the Thunderbolt soars through the air and lands in the middle of a fairground before hopping back on track and gliding into Miggleswick station. Porter's acrylic illustrations are painted on wood and his distinctive monkeys have big, wide eyes and plenty of personality. Readers will enjoy this quirky, wild ride.—Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada