While browsing through the children’s picture book section of the library, I noticed books being categorized not only in the traditional alphabetical order by the author’s last name, but also by subject matter. This organizing technique makes locating books on specific subjects easier – especially if you have an impatient youngster who wants a particular book NOW!

I found three books in the Transportation category that I thought would be a fun fit for young book lovers who like to be on the move.

Can you say onomatopoeia? Alliteration? Do you like words like wallop, wham, whack, and bash? And how about phrases like “massive metal mouths” and “bold and brilliant blades?” If these words and phrases tickle your fancy, then you’ll love The Diggers Are Coming! written and illustrated by Susan Steggall. This book tells the story of how different types of diggers change the landscape by tearing down the old buildings and replacing them with new homes. Steggall’s colorful illustrations are collages made of many types of papers. The text is fun and moves along at a quick pace with lots of rhythm and rhyme. This is one book that’s hard to resist!

Tugboat is written and illustrated by Michael Garland. The brightly colored illustrations show a tugboat in a variety of settings and they’re sure to capture a child’s interest. Simple sentences impart information about the many jobs of a tugboat, and a glossary at the end provides an easy explanation of the terms used in the book.

You may have trained a dog, but have you ever trained a train? If you’d like to try, then climb aboard and read How To Train A Train written by Jason Carter Easton and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree, John Rocco. The story begins with a young boy introducing his pet train and his handy guidebook on how to train a train. The reader learns about different types of trains, how to catch one, choose a name for it, make it feel at home, teach it tricks and manners, and how to make friends. The illustrations are delightful. John Rocco has done an excellent job of giving each train human-like, facial features that make you want to give your pet train a hug. This book is filled with charm and whimsy. Who wouldn’t want a train as a pet?