"The Little Red Caboose" story by Marian Potter, pictures by Tibor Gergely, The Little Golden Book published by Western Publishing Company, Racine, Wisconcine, copyright 1953, 1970s printing [before 1976] with ten-digit isbn number and barcode on the front board.

Illustrated hard boards [some edge and corner wear]; 6.1/2" x 8"; former owner's name inside front cover; unpaginated, 24 pages, a little soiling, page corner wear, very good condition.

This book is a second version of "The Little Engine That Could" (1930). "The Little Red Caboose" version of the story first appeared in 1954, and was revised again with new illustrations by Ruth Sanderson in 1976.

In the tale, a long train must be pulled over a high mountain after its locomotive breaks down. Larger locomotives, treated anthropomorphically, are asked to pull the train; for various reasons they refuse. The request is sent to a small engine, who agrees to try. Despite the steep climb and heavy load, the engine slowly succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating the motto: "I-think-I-can."

The story of the little engine has been told and retold many times. The underlying theme is the same- a stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it on over difficult terrain to its destination. Only the little engine is willing to try and, while repeating the mantra "I think I can, I think I can", overcomes a seemingly impossible task.

Tibor Gergely (1900-1978) was a Hungarian-American artist best known for his illustration of popular children's picture books. His work was part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics.

US: Priority (c 2-4 days) ------ $12.50
Canada: 1st Class (c.2-7 weeks) ----- $28.50
World: 1st Class (c.2-10 weeks) ----- $42.50