This delightful book just doesn’t get old. Rich detail (and silly stories) fill every page. Do you want to ride in a carrot car? Will Officer Flossy catch that bad dog Dingo? Can you spot Goldbug on every page? This is a book to come back to again and again. Age 2 and up.

Barton’s simple, bold drawings show men (and women) spending their day on the construction site. This short book begins “Hey you guys, let’s get to work!” and ends with “More work tomorrow.” Enthralling for any child who love big machines (and that’s a lot of kids). For the youngest child.

This whimsical book just came out in 2011, but it feels like a classic. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator wrap up their work on the construction site--and settle in with their lovies for bed. This book could be part of a sweet bedtime ritual for the youngest child. Age 1 and up.

This tale of a little boy who plays with trains from sun-up to bedtime will delight young train-lovers. The story unfolds in cheerful rhymes that begin “Sun’s up! Morning’s here / Up and at ‘em / Engineer.” Destined to be a favorite. Age 1 and up.

This vividly illustrated book shows a brightly colored train moving--through tunnels, across trestles, by a city--until it’s going, going, gone. Young train lovers will want to read this one over and over. Age 1 and up.

Parents will get nostalgic about this classic tale of the cheerful little blue engine that saves the day by delivering the milk and spinach and dolls and to the boys and girls on the other side of the mountain. “I think I can I think I can.” This modern edition has ornate illustrations. Age 3 and up.

Another bedtime picture book in the spirit of their New York Times bestseller (and my son’s favorite) Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. It’s not quite as magical as its predecessor, but preschoolers who are obsessed with trains won’t mind. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful, and the onomatopoeia throughout the book (clickety clack!) makes this a fun bedtime read aloud.