Books About Trains And Railroads · 334 titles considered

The Best Trains And Railroads Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about trains and railroads? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Trains And Railroads

Sale price
$2849
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2007

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

A hidden life in a Paris station unravels with a cryptic message.

Caldecott Medal (2008)The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2007)
533 pages· 24,938 words· Est. 3 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 191,208 ratings
$29.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10

The Box-Car Children

Four orphaned children run away from their grandfather and live in a boxcar, where they learn to fend for themselves and have many adventures.

160 pages· 17,402 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.1/5 Goodreads · 131,219 ratings
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2020

Kidnap on the California Comet

A missing billionaire's daughter on a train sparks a race against time.

256 pages· 50,747 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,675 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2022

Danger at Dead Man's Pass

A young detective faces a family curse and haunted railway mystery.

272 pages· 52,385 words· Est. 6 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,076 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2024

Sabotage on the Solar Express

A young sleuth races to stop a train sabotage before disaster strikes.

256 pages· 47,100 words· Est. 5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 953 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1985

The Polar Express

A young boy takes a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

32 pages· 910 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
6.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 249,991 ratings
$21.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020

The Silver Arrow

A birthday gift steam locomotive whisks siblings on a magical, world-saving adventure.

272 pages· 36,046 words· Est. 5 hour read
6.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 4,205 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2019

Bunnies on the Bus

A group of bunnies cause chaos on a bus and then a train.

32 pages· 279 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 654 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 2018

The Train to Impossible Places

A girl must choose between saving a friend or risking everything on a magical train journey.

400 pages· 71,359 words· Est. 10 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 3,440 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

The Secret Subway

By Shana Corey, Red Nose Studio (Illustrator)

Discover the hidden tale of New York's first underground train.

40 pages· 1,202 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
5.6/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,072 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
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Browse by age

Trains And Railroads Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about trains and railroads for the youngest readers and listeners.

Steam Train, Dream Train

Ages 2–4 · 2013

Animals load a dream train with whimsical cargo before bedtime.

The Little Red Caboose

Ages 2–5 · 1953

A caboose dreams of being as admired as the steam engine.

All Aboard! Pacific Northwest

Ages 0–3 · 2017

Embark on a train journey through the Pacific Northwest's wonders.

That's Not My Train...
Sale price
$1099

That's Not My Train...

Ages 0–3 · 2000

A mouse seeks his perfect train amidst a puzzling array.

Steam Train, Dream Train Colors

Ages 2–5 · 2016

Join a colorful train journey with lively animals and learn colors through rhymes.

Moo Moo, Choo Choo

Ages 0–3

No book description provided.

All Aboard! Paris
Sale price
$1199

All Aboard! Paris

Ages 0–3 · 2015

Embark on a train journey exploring cities with your little one.

All Aboard! California
Sale price
$1199

All Aboard! California

Ages 0–3 · 2015

Embark on a global train adventure with your little one.

Steam Train, Dream Train 1-2-3

Ages 2–5 · 2016

Join animal friends on a dreamy train counting adventure.

My Big Train Book

Ages 0–4 · 2003

Explore the world of trains with captivating photos for young readers.

Choo-Choo Colors
Sale price
$699

Choo-Choo Colors

Ages 0–3

Discover the secrets hidden in each train car.

The Goodnight Train

Ages 2–4 · 2006

Embark on a whimsical train ride to dreamland.

View all trains and railroads board books
Browse by age

Trains And Railroads Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about trains and railroads for preschool and elementary-age readers.

When Jackie Saved Grand Central

Ages 3–7 · 2017

A New Yorker fights to save Grand Central from a skyscraper threat.

Overground Railroad
Sale price
$1899

Overground Railroad

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A young girl journeys north, seeking freedom and new beginnings.

I Knew You Could!

Ages 3–7 · 2003

A little engine inspires graduates to embrace new beginnings with determination.

Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo

Ages 2–5 · 1999

A train's journey unfolds with unexpected adventures.

A Treasury of Curious George

Ages 4–7 · 2004

Join a curious monkey on adventures filled with mischief and discovery.

Trucker and Train

Ages 4–7 · 2019

A big rig faces a choice: continue bullying or embrace kindness when a crisis hits.

Railway Jack

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A legless inspector and a baboon must prove their teamwork to skeptical authorities.

Silver Packages

Ages 5–8 · 1987

A boy's hope for a special gift reveals the true meaning of Christmas.

Here Comes the Train

Ages 2–5 · 1998

A family awaits the thrilling arrival of a train.

The Caboose Who Got Loose

Ages 4–7 · 1971

A caboose seeks peace, but a surprise detachment changes everything.

Down by the Station

Ages 3–6 · 1999

Can the engineer deliver playful baby animals to the zoo before the kids arrive?

Tootle

Ages 2–5 · 1945

A young train must choose between freedom and his dream of becoming a Flyer.

Browse by age

Trains And Railroads Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about trains and railroads for developing and independent readers.

Delivery to the Lost City

Ages 10–14 · 2021

A magical book threatens chaos; can Suzy find its lost world before it's too late?

Thea Stilton and the Mystery on the Orient Express

Ages 7–10 · 2012

Can the Thea Sisters stop a daring heist on the Orient Express?

First Class Murder

Ages 8–12 · 2015

A murder on the Orient Express. Can two young detectives solve it before the killer strikes again?

Murder on the Safari Star

Ages 9–12 · 2021

A train journey turns deadly. Can Hal solve the mystery before reaching the final stop?

The Train of Lost Things

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A boy seeks a magical train to recover his lost jacket and save his father.

Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express

Ages 7–10 · 1990

A storm-damaged bridge, a midnight train, and a race against time to save lives.

Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln?

Ages 6–9 · 2016

A young girl embarks on a journey to discover herself and find her place in the world

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1699

The Sound of Colors

Ages 6–9 · 2001

A woman seeks healing on subway rides with her dog.

Trapped on the D.C. Train!

Ages 6–9 · 2011

A group of kidnappers target the vice president of the United States and her stepdaughter on a train ride to Pennsylvania

Trouble on the Orphan Train
Sale price
$599

Trouble on the Orphan Train

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Time-traveling kids must clear an orphan's name and find a missing friend.

How to Get Away with Myrtle
Sale price
$895

How to Get Away with Myrtle

Ages 10–13 · 2020

A vanished tiara, a murder, and a young detective on a train. Can she solve the mystery?

The Highland Falcon Thief
Sale price
$1299

The Highland Falcon Thief

Ages 10–14 · 2020

A boy must solve a jewel theft on a royal train to clear his friend's name.

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Books about ChristmasBooks about family lifeBooks about innovationBooks about inventionsBooks about orphansBooks about trains

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