milesjmoran 's review for:

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

4.0

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There is something innately relaxing and soothing about children's classics. I read Carrie's War for the first time March 2018 and really enjoyed it, so when I was in a bit of a reading slump and feeling under the weather, I decided to treat myself to another classic. The Railway Children is a lovely book. I went in knowing absolutely nothing about it, having never read it or seen a single film adaptation, so I really liked the fact that this was entirely new to me. I adored each of the children (especially Phyllis who Nesbit perfectly introduces with this line: ...and the youngest was Phyllis, who meant extremely well"), and the story itself was a beautiful balance of the light-hearted with the more serious. Nesbit's writing is pleasant and funny, and I really loved the way she made this family seem real, for example omitting certain bits of dialogue as the children would find it embarrassing, which I found extremely charming. I would prefer to give it 4.5/5 but, alas, half stars are not yet a thing. If you haven't read it yet, treat yourself--it's delightful.