The Little Engine That Could
After several larger engines refuse the job, a little blue engine decides to try. The "I think I can" chant becomes a powerful, interactive moment as children join in on the climb.
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper is estimated to take about 13 minutes to read aloud (1,167 words, about 2 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 13 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 1,167Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 2Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This is a story about perseverance that builds momentum. The repetition of the main phrase makes it a highly engaging, participatory experience once the child catches on.
It’s a good choice for older toddlers and preschoolers. The shift in grammar at the end provides a subtle, clever way to introduce the past tense.
Before you buy it
At over ten minutes long, the repetitive refusals might lead adults to start skipping lines. Also, the 1930 text contains some phrasing that feels dated.
Themes
- trains
- perseverance
- helping
- toys
Books like The Little Engine That Could
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Freight Trainabout 3 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Siteabout 6.5 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Room on the Broomabout 10 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
The Snail and the Whaleabout 8 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
The Cat in the Hatabout 16 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read The Little Engine That Could aloud?
About 13 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 1,167. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is The Little Engine That Could actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 2 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does The Little Engine That Could survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is The Little Engine That Could a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it has a refrain a child can join in with, and it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise The Little Engine That Could?
Probably, and fast. The book leans on a repeated refrain, and at 4 out of 5 for re-read tolerance it survives the nightly repeats that get a book memorised. Expect your child to chant the pattern back before they can actually read.
Can a beginning reader read The Little Engine That Could on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 2 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
What themes does The Little Engine That Could cover?
We tag it with trains, perseverance, helping and toys. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
