Book Review: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
What Parents Should Know
We found no objectionable content in this book.
Lively drawings and simple text encourage kids to chime in, and the story has an unusually satisfying ending.
Common Sense Media Review
A family favorite for more than sixty years, this book is a
reassuring slice of nostalgia. With a story as steady and
reliable as Mary Anne, it gives kids the opportunity to
anticipate what will happen next.
Down-to-earth language, with repeating phrases, lets kids become comfortable with the text and join in. One adult who hadn't read the book since childhood was delighted to discover she still remembered key words.
The pictures support the aura of familiarity. No fussy, fancy artwork--just good old crayon drawings of rectangular houses with smoke curlicuing from the chimneys, and of the sun, a smiling yellow ball.
With such a trustworthy delivery, you can rest assured your kids will absorb the important messages here. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel suggests that kids aim high, work hard, and expect to fulfill their dreams.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
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