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Our 18 Top Train Books for Kids

ByAnna Cannelongo
A collection of children's books about trains displayed on a wooden floor, with a couch in the background. The titles include 'That's Not My Train', 'The Littlest Train', and 'Goodnight Train'.

Do you have a train-loving kid? Is your toddler or preschooler obsessed with all things trains? If so, check out some of our favorite train picture books that will be perfect for your future train engineer!

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The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

Cover of 'The Little Engine That Could' by Watty Piper, featuring a colorful illustration of a blue train going up a hill with a clown, children, and a dog watching.

When I think of train books, the first that comes to mind is Watty Piper’s The Little Engine That Could. Who doesn’t love the kindness, perseverance, and gumption of the Little Blue Train? We have two versions of this book. The first has more modern illustrations. The second is the abridged version of the original. I think I like the abridged version better as the original can be rather long and repetitive during bedtime routine.

Usborne’s Baby’s Very First Train Book

This board book has rolling wheels! Because of this fact alone, my four-year-old son still loves Usborne’s Baby’s Very First Train Book. It has bright colorful pictures about animal friends who ride a train.

Sleep Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Cover of the children's book 'Steam Train, Dream Train' featuring a whimsical illustration of a train with a monkey holding a lantern and a giraffe peeking out, set against a night sky.

Sleep Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker is one of the most magical picture books out there! The illustrations are superb as they take you into the dream world of the Dream Train. As the animals load the train, they fill it with all sorts of things that kids love like ice cream, sand, and toys! It’s perfect to get you into a dream-likes state. I particularly love this book as it sparks my imagination as well as my child’s.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg is one of the most moving Christmas picture books of all time. Not only are the illustrations stunning, but the ending always brings a tear to my eyes. A boy takes a trip to the North Pole in the loveliest train a kid can imagine. A train where they serve decadent treats and velvety hot chocolate. Upon arrival, he is selected to ask Santa for the first gift of Christmas. He asks for one of the bells from the reindeer. Unfortunately, he has a hole in his pocket.

Mr. Complain Takes the Train by Wade Bradford

Cover of the children's book 'Mr. Complain Takes the Train' featuring a whimsical train and animated characters, including animals and a man with a suitcase.

Mr. Complain is taking a train to his holiday destination. Unfortunately, Mr. Complain finds a way to complain at every juncture. Luckily, the train conductor is super accommodating. Join Mr. Complain on his journey to see if he can find anything that satisfies him. Even after we returned this book to the library, my son still sometimes quotes from Mr. Complain Takes the Train by Wade Bradford, so you know this one is a keeper!

That’s Not my Train… (Usborne Touchy-Feely Books)

My son loves Usborne’s Touchy-Feely Board Books. He loved them when he was a toddler, and he still loves them at four years old. That’s Not my Train is the perfect book to add to your collection if you have a train-loving kid!

The Goodnight Train by June Sobel

Cover of the children's book 'The Goodnight Train' featuring whimsical characters including a boy, a dog, and a snowman on a cartoonish train, set against a blue night sky with stars.

The Goodnight Train by June Sobel paints a dream-like fantasy of the countryside as the train leaves the station. Slowly the kids on the train wind down for bed. But while the kids drift off to dreamland, the sneaky skunk is up to his shenanigans as payback for the conductor giving him a bath. The Goodnight Train is a fun, fantasy book evoking a dream-like state. It’s the perfect bedtime book for your train-loving kid!

Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night? by Brianna Caplan Sayres

We love Brianna Caplan Sayres construction truck books, and Where Do Steam Trains Sleep at Night? is just as sweet. This rhyming book goes through various types of trains preparing for bed: passenger trains, freight trains, monorails, etc. The illustrator’s (Slade) lovely little mouse appears in all the pictures as well!

Railroad Hank by Lisa Moser

Cover of the children's book 'Railroad Hank' featuring a colorful illustration of a red train with a smiling conductor, a girl in a blue dress, and a dog. The scene includes a cow and a rooster, set against a background of rolling hills and clouds.

Railroad Hank by Lisa Moser is a silly tale about an engineer named Hank who is trying to cheer up Granny Bett. As he stops by each of the villager’s houses, they all offer something nice to help Granny Bett. Unfortunately, Railroad Hank always takes the wrong thing, so all the townspeople have to follow him up to Granny Bett’s house where chaos ensues.

Chugga-Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis

Chugga-Chugga Choo Choo by Kevin Lewis is one of my favorite train books to read. The rhyme, meter, and rhythm make it delightful. In the book you follow the toy train engineer through the bedroom as he loads the freight, goes in the tunnel and over the bridge. Finally it’s time to go back to the station!

Let’s Build a Little Train by Julia Richardson

Cover of the children's book 'Let's Build a Little Train' by Julia Richardson, illustrated by Ryan O'Rourke, featuring a colorful steam train with a red cabin and green boiler against a blue sky.

If you have a train lover who wants to know all about the parts of a train then Let’s Build a Little Train by Julia Richardson is the perfect book for you! This rhyming picture book integrates all the different parts of a steam train (bogie, boiler, cattle catcher, etc.) in a story format. The ending goes a little more in-depth about how a steam engine works which will satisfy your nonfiction-loving kid.

How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton

Does your child want a pet train? If so, How to Train a Train by Jason Carter Eaton is for you! In it you will learn how to find a pet train that’s especially right for you. Additionally, the illustrations are fun and gorgeous! Overall, this is a humorous book that any train kid would love!

The Littlest Train by Chris Gall

Little Train is a toy train who lives on a train table. His life was calm and peaceful until Mr. Fingers knocked him off the side onto the floor. From there he wanders off and takes a journey exploring the world, making new friends along the way. That is until he gets home sick. The art in this book is exquisite. It has bright bold colors, lots of lines, and a touch of masculinity. The Littlest Train by Chris Gall is the perfect book for a little boy to fall in love with!

All Aboard the Alaska Train by Brooke Hartman

A children's book titled 'All Aboard the Alaska Train' by Brooke Hartman and John Joseph, featuring an illustrated blue train and various animals, placed on a table next to a plush moose toy.

All Aboard the Alaska Train by Brooke Hartman is based on the real Alaska Train (aka Alaska Railroad Corporation) The train travels through Alaska meeting the local wildlife (such as buffalo, caribou, moose, etc. ) along the way. Then end contains some information about the real Alaskan train.

If I Could Ride a Train by Heidi Koland

Cover of the book 'If I Could Ride a Train' featuring a watercolor illustration of a yellow train with black accents, along with the author's name, Heidi Koland.

If I Could Ride a Train by Heidi Koland is about a child imagining he’s taking a train ride with his family. As he rides through the countryside, he’s imagining all the things that he’d see. The biggest draw of this book is that the art is a bit different than your typical picture book.

Tracks by David Galef

Tracks by David Galef is a funny book about Albert, a railroad worker, who lost his glasses. Instead of admitting he can’t see, he builds the railroad tracks in an absurd way. When his boss confronts him with his unique track, Albert is afraid he’s going to get in trouble. However, his boss enjoys the ride!

Thomas the Train

A toy train on a wooden track, featuring a blue engine with the number one on it.

Any Thomas the Train book is always a hit! We read the books and watch Thomas the Train DVD’s from the library. Who can resist Thomas and his friends from Sodor? Not only are they gentle and slow stories, but they teach good character traits such as being useful and honest etc.

Good Night, Little Engine by Janet Lawler

Good Night, Little Engine by Janet Lawler is another night time train book. Little (blue) Engine isn’t sleepy quite yet. When she hears a noise she goes outside to check. It seems as a little birdie is lost. She drives through town looking to find the bird’s home and find it in an unexpected place. Finally, she’s ready for bed.

Conclusion

If you have a train kid, reading train picture books is a great way to promote early literacy and build vocabulary. Not only does your child learns about trains, but reading about his passion encourages him to fall in love with literature and develop a love of reading!

Add your favorite train books to the comments, so we have new ideas to explore!

If your train kid is also a truck kid, check out the book Ladder and Friends Learn to Pray

Does your train-loving kid also love trucks? If so, I have the perfect book for you: Ladder and Friends Learn to Pray!

Many of the Christian resources I found for young children had cute little kids and cuddly animals. This was not appealing at all to my son; he wanted trucks, wheels, and trains! So, I scoured Amazon looking for Christian books aimed at young boys, but I couldn’t find anything. Therefore, I decided to write my own.

Ladder and his friends are going to bed. As they are being tucked in, their community worker teaches them to pray emphasizing positive character traits along the way.

Ladder and Friends Learn to Pray! should be available Summer 2026. Join my pre-order mailing list today to get the latest updates about when the book will be available. (Note: There is NO financial obligation at this time!)

Pre-Order Today!

More Book Lists for Toddlers and Preschoolers!

A collection of children's bedtime storybooks displayed on a wooden floor, featuring titles like 'Goodnight Numbers', 'Good Night, Little Blue Truck', and 'Llama Llama Red Pajama', with a sofa and toys in the background.

If you are looking for more of our favorite books’ lists, check out my posts:

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