Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Nighttime train delivers holiday feelings in magical tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
At the beginning of STEAM TRAIN, DREAM TRAIN: NEXT STOP, CHRISTMAS!, a sturdy crew of animals—most seen in the author's first in this series, Steam Train, Dream Train—loads up the magical train, climbs aboard, and it takes off into the night sky. They mix up a "delightful brew" of sweet Christmas scents (chocolate, peppermint, oranges, etc.) and ladle it out into the sky, where it descends on humans, blending with their Christmas memories. "With every scent, hearts are lighter,/ spirits lifted, smiles brighter." Next comes "Christmas songs from all the lands," played and sung by the crew, that waft to Earth. Then Christmas decorations and glowing light sparkle down on neighborhoods, transforming them into "a Christmas wonderland." Next, the crew releases "warm Christmas feelings" that "fall like feathers from the sky" and people below recall "soft and cozy sweaters,/ cheery Christmas cards and letters,/ toasty scarves and chilly nights,/ and dear loved ones who hold you tight..." It turns out the freight on this train is "what you cannot hold or touch" that "makes Christmas mean so much."
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully illustrated, poetically whimsical holiday fantasy is all about feelings rather than physical gifts. Steam Train, Dream Train: Next Stop, Christmas! stresses the power of memories to bring joy and and even world peace! The skillfully rhyming text artfully lists the many things that give folks that Christmas feeling, from decorations and carols to Christmas cards and seasonal scents. And it tallies the simple things that can make us happy at this time of year, from a cozy sweater to a cuddle by the fireplace. It's a fresh yet nostalgic story that delivers way more than presents. And kids will enjoy poring over AG Ford's delightful illustrations to identify the animals and zero in on all the busy, magical tasks they're up to.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the energetic train crew in Steam Train, Dream Train: Next Stop, Christmas! Can you name all the animals working together to bring Christmas cheer?
The train crew has figured out what smells remind people of Christmas, from evergreens to peppermint to baked goods. What smells good to you at Christmastime? What other things give you a feeling of Christmas?
What are some of your favorite holiday memories?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : AG Ford
- Genre : Holiday
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Fantasy , Holidays ( Christmas ) , Transportation ( Trains )
- Character Strengths : Gratitude , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Chronicle Books
- Publication date : October 7, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 5
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 18, 2025
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