10+ Best Train Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Choo-choo! Are you on the lookout for the perfect train books for 5-year-olds that will keep your little conductor engaged and excited? You've steamed into the right station! From stories that spark imagination to fun facts that feed their curiosity, we've rounded up a delightful variety of train books suited just for your preschooler. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to be a hit with your young reader!

Fun Train Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, illustrated by George and Doris Hauman
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Motivational
  • Synopsis: This timeless story features a small engine that, despite its size, heroically pulls a train full of toys over a mountain while repeating its motto: "I think I can, I think I can."
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and optimism, encouraging kids to believe in themselves and their abilities, which is crucial at this developmental stage.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy uplifting stories and any child who needs a boost in confidence.

• Freight Train by Donald Crews
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Concept book
  • Synopsis: A colorful train moves through tunnels, by cities, and over trestles in this vibrant, simple book that teaches colors and the basics of how a train travels.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its bright, engaging illustrations and minimal text make it easy for young readers to follow along and learn basic concepts.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are fascinated by trains and are learning their colors.

• Thomas the Tank Engine from The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry, illustrated by Reginald Payne
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis:

Educational Train Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo by Kevin Lewis, illustrated by Daniel Kirk
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Picture book
  • Synopsis: Follow the adventures of a busy, little blue train as it travels throughout the day, carrying loads and passing through various landscapes.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, time concepts, vocabulary development
  • Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic, expressive text and bright, playful illustrations make it a delightful read that captures the essence of a train's journey.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love trains and enjoy stories with rhythmic, engaging narration.

• Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Bedtime story
  • Synopsis: As the steam train slows down for the night, various animals load the train cars with all sorts of fun, like ice cream and race cars, before settling down to sleep.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, animal identification, understanding of sequences
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines the excitement of trains with a soothing, dreamlike quality that makes it perfect for bedtime.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who need a calming story before sleep, especially those who love animals and trains.

• The Goodnight Train by June Sobel, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Bedtime story
  • Synopsis: This story takes readers on a magical journey aboard a train that's winding down for the night, passing through various fantastical scenes to help children relax and drift off to sleep.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, relaxation techniques, nighttime routines
  • Why we recommend this book: Its soothing rhyme scheme and whimsical illustrations help ease children into bedtime with a sense of calm and wonder.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy a routine bedtime story and those fascinated by trains.

• Locomotive by Brian Floca
  • Genre(s): Children's non-fiction, Historical
  • Synopsis: This detailed book explores the history of the American railroad in the 1860s, focusing on the transcontinental railroad and its impact on American life.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical knowledge, technical understanding of trains, reading comprehension
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a richly illustrated and detailed look at train mechanics and history, engaging young readers with its dynamic storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in history and how things work, particularly those fascinated by trains and mechanical operations.

Challenging Train Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy, Christmas story
  • Synopsis: On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express, meeting new friends and encountering extraordinary experiences along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative delves into complex themes of belief, the spirit of Christmas, and the transition from childhood innocence to maturity.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating and beautifully illustrated story that encourages readers to maintain their belief in magic and wonder.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love magical adventures and holiday-themed stories.

• The Caboose Who Got Loose by Bill Peet
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Rhyming story
  • Synopsis: Katy Caboose longs for freedom from the end of the train and finds herself on a thrilling adventure when her wish unexpectedly comes true.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book uses a rich vocabulary and a rhyming text that challenges young readers while keeping them engaged.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about the joy of adventure and the importance of finding one's place in the world in a fun and lyrical way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories with rhyme and rhythm and those dreaming of adventures.

• The Journey of the Noble Gnarble by Daniel Errico, illustrated by Tiffany Turrill
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A gnarble with a tiny tail dreams of seeing the sun and sky, leading him on an epic journey from the ocean's bottom to the surface, facing various challenges along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story introduces complex vocabulary and concepts of persistence and resilience through a fantasy narrative.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring tale that encourages perseverance and dreaming big, wrapped in a beautifully illustrated underwater adventure.
  • Perfect for: Young dreamers and any child who loves stories of adventure and fantastical creatures.

• The Little Red Caboose by Marian Potter, illustrated by Tibor Gergely
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Classic
  • Synopsis: The Little Red Caboose always comes last but saves the day by keeping the train from sliding down a hill, finally gaining the recognition it deserves.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features a narrative that builds on the themes of self-worth and importance, which are more advanced topics for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a heartwarming story about the value of all roles within a community, no matter how small they seem.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate classic stories with moral lessons and those who like tales of unsung heroes.

• Alphabet Trains by Samantha Vamos, illustrated by Ryan O'Rourke
  • Genre(s): Children's fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book takes readers on a ride through the alphabet, featuring different kinds of trains from A to Z.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces various types of trains and related vocabulary, expanding both the reader's alphabet knowledge and technical understanding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines learning the alphabet with a child's interest in trains, making educational content engaging and fun.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are beginning to explore the alphabet and those with a keen interest in trains.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you've got a little one who's all aboard the reading train, especially when it comes to train books, you're in the right place. To make the journey more engaging and fruitful, here are some fun reading exercises tailored for 5-year-olds. These activities will not only keep them hooked but also enhance their reading skills. Let's get rolling!

• Read Together Daily
  • What it is: Set aside time each day to read train books together.
  • How it helps: Builds a reading habit and improves listening and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Let your child pick the book to increase their interest and engagement.

• Character Play
  • What it is: Act out stories or scenes from the train books you read.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the story and characters, boosting empathy and imaginative skills.
  • Tips: Use simple props like toy trains to make the play more fun and realistic.

• Picture Walks
  • What it is: Browse through the book looking at pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Encourages prediction skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to tell a story based on the pictures they see, then read the text to see how close they were.

• Question and Answer Time
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child questions about the story and discuss their thoughts.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and comprehension, and encourages critical thinking.
  • Tips: Keep questions simple and directly related to the story to maintain their interest.

• Match the Sound
  • What it is: Create a game of matching sounds with actions or objects from the train book.
  • How it helps: Helps with phonemic awareness and learning to associate sounds with symbols.
  • Tips: Use sounds like 'choo-choo' or 'clickety-clack' and match with pictures or actions from the book.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Use picture cards or drawings to sequence the events of the story.
  • How it helps: Aids in understanding the order of events and story structure.
  • Tips: Start with broad segments of the story, and as they get better, increase the number of steps.

• Make a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Create a special, comfortable space dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a special and enjoyable activity.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting up the nook and decorating it with themes from their favorite train books.

These exercises are a ticket to a thrilling literary journey for your young reader. By integrating these fun and educational activities into your reading routine, you'll help foster a lifelong love for reading in your child. All aboard the reading express—next stop, adventure and learning!