*Smokey by Bill Peet (1962) is another example of this author’s special "something". What is it that infuses magic into his storytelling? Maybe it’s the rhyme. His lines glide easily from page to page. His characters have personalities. A train is partially submerged in a pond on the cover of this book. Its eyes effectively communicate anxiety about its predicament. Ducks smile at the train. A frog, turtle, some dragonflies, and a fish look on with curiosity. Inside the book, big diesel trains actually look arrogant. Retired engines look worn, abandoned, and sad. Work horses lean into the hard labor of hauling hay. Smokey is an aging engine that puffs black smoke into the air. It’s the end of the line for him. After a long life of dedicated service, Smokey’s about to join his old colleagues rusting in a field. But, Smokey’s story has a happy ending. We can count on Bill Peet to write a happy ending.
