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lattelibrarian's review
5.0
When I requested that my library purchase this, I was honestly curious as to whether this would go up in the Library of Congress "adult" stacks, or the children's lit stacks. I felt my question was valid--that train has human teeth, for crying out loud! But, given its picturebook nature, it landed in the children's section. Which is a riot. Stephen King wrote this under a pseudonym, and it was incredible. This text is mentioned in The Dark Tower series, and Charlie the Choo-Choo gives us some backstory for The Waste Lands.
Most riotously enough, this book is technically a children's book, albeit a strange one that uses weirdly adult language, and occasional forced "child" speak. But it does it with enough "zip" and "zowie!" that it gets the job done. Really though, if you're a fan of The Dark Tower, this is a must read. You won't regret it.
If you're a child, you may want to hold off for a few years. This book's illustrations may be nightmare inducing. Which is sort of the point, I guess. So I mean, if that's what you're going for, this is the book for you!
Most riotously enough, this book is technically a children's book, albeit a strange one that uses weirdly adult language, and occasional forced "child" speak. But it does it with enough "zip" and "zowie!" that it gets the job done. Really though, if you're a fan of The Dark Tower, this is a must read. You won't regret it.
If you're a child, you may want to hold off for a few years. This book's illustrations may be nightmare inducing. Which is sort of the point, I guess. So I mean, if that's what you're going for, this is the book for you!
cathiedalziel's review
5.0
Brilliant, brilliant marketing ploy from the master himself, Stephen King. This is Charlie the train from the Dark Tower series and it is now a physical, actual book! Love this! :-)
(Suitable for all ages)
(Suitable for all ages)
jaycebookreviews's review
3.0
You may wonder why I read a children’s picture book. There is a real reason, during the time of reading this I am reading The Waste Lands by Stephen King. And there is a lot of references to this book. So i decided the read it and see what all of these references are.
Now that part of the book makes sense. That is the reason that i read this book. It is ok. It is a children’s book, so I am not expecting to like it that much.
If you are a parent that likes to read Stephen king books. And have read, or are in the middle of reading the Dark Tower series and you have kids. Read this to them!
TW: none
Genre: children’s picture book
Appeal: young children (around 5-7yrs)
Now that part of the book makes sense. That is the reason that i read this book. It is ok. It is a children’s book, so I am not expecting to like it that much.
If you are a parent that likes to read Stephen king books. And have read, or are in the middle of reading the Dark Tower series and you have kids. Read this to them!
TW: none
Genre: children’s picture book
Appeal: young children (around 5-7yrs)
antisocial_auntie's review
3.0
As I re-read Stephen King I found out about this book. Now I am tempted to jump back into the Dark Tower series early to remind myself why this was mentioned in that series. But, I will stay strong and continue in published order.
lolanicole's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a huge Stephen King fan. I bought this to have for our future son or daughter. It was so worth it! I love the children's book.
dantastic's review
4.0
Charlie the Choo-Choo has a secret. He can talk! But what will happen to Charlie and Engineer Bob once Charlie is replaced by a diesel locomotive?
Straight from the pages of [b:The Waste Lands|34084|The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3)|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389762449s/34084.jpg|1810634] comes Charlie the Choo-Choo, the book within a book inspired by Blaine the Mono.
The tale reminds me a lot of [b:Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel|153542|Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel|Virginia Lee Burton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924293s/153542.jpg|1069773]. Charlie and Engineer Bob are great until they are heartlessly replaced but still get one more shot at glory when the chips are down.
The artwork is suitably creepy. Charlie looks like he'd gladly gnaw the heads off of any one riding him. Stephen King writes in a style that is reminiscent of children's books, although he can't stop himself from making it a little on the wordy side.
I was planning on giving this to my nephews by I may just keep it for myself, on the shelf right next to my Dark Tower books. Four out of five stars.
Straight from the pages of [b:The Waste Lands|34084|The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, #3)|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1389762449s/34084.jpg|1810634] comes Charlie the Choo-Choo, the book within a book inspired by Blaine the Mono.
The tale reminds me a lot of [b:Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel|153542|Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel|Virginia Lee Burton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924293s/153542.jpg|1069773]. Charlie and Engineer Bob are great until they are heartlessly replaced but still get one more shot at glory when the chips are down.
The artwork is suitably creepy. Charlie looks like he'd gladly gnaw the heads off of any one riding him. Stephen King writes in a style that is reminiscent of children's books, although he can't stop himself from making it a little on the wordy side.
I was planning on giving this to my nephews by I may just keep it for myself, on the shelf right next to my Dark Tower books. Four out of five stars.
michellenet's review
5.0
Exact children’s book from the Dark Tower series. My husband bought it for us for Christmas to add to our Stephen King collection. I read it as a family to our kids and they found the artwork super creepy lol but they were good sports about it.
michael_benavidez's review
5.0
Okay this makes me chuckle. Basically, if you're a Dark Tower fan, and need all his work, get this book.
The funny thing is, I didn't find this. The person who did thought it was a cute children's book, and only showed me cuz of the quote on top. Oh King you funny son of a bitch.
If you see the illustrations, you can view it as an innocent children's book. But that's what makes this so great, the illustrations. If you know the story around this book, and see these drawings, you see the horror in the pictures. It's like viewing one of those trippy art photos that you look at it one way you see a bunny, look at it another, and you see a duck. I love this thing, and sits happily on my shelf.
The funny thing is, I didn't find this. The person who did thought it was a cute children's book, and only showed me cuz of the quote on top. Oh King you funny son of a bitch.
If you see the illustrations, you can view it as an innocent children's book. But that's what makes this so great, the illustrations. If you know the story around this book, and see these drawings, you see the horror in the pictures. It's like viewing one of those trippy art photos that you look at it one way you see a bunny, look at it another, and you see a duck. I love this thing, and sits happily on my shelf.