Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo

By: Kathleen Welton
Illustrated by: Tamara Joubert
Publisher: Blue Balloon Books
Publication Date: September 3, 2024
ISBN: 978-1962202237
Reviewed by: Anne Hubbard
Review Date: July 10, 2024

Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo, by award-winning author Kathleen Welton, is the delightful story of Peg the Pig and her animal friends as they take an adventurous train ride through the zoo. The charming illustrations in this story are brought to life by Tamara Joubert.

As our story opens, Peg the Pig calls “All aboard!” and begins driving the zoo train down the track, as her animal friends join in for fun along the way. We meet lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, gorillas, penguins, polar bears, owls, zebras, and pigs during the course of the train ride. The enjoyable story also explores the beauty of nature, as Peg the Pig begins driving the train in the morning with the sun shining brightly, and finishes the ride when the stars are twinkling high above in the sky.

Welton has crafted an entertaining tale that expertly mimics the “Wheels on the Bus” song, which is sure to catch the attention of young readers. The zoo characters are not only adorable, but also serve a purpose for Welton’s earliest readers in that they will help the youngsters to learn what sounds various animals make.

The illustrations, crafted by Tamara Joubert, are vibrant and colorful, and will certainly captivate any young reader. Not only does Joubert do an excellent job of bringing the animals to life, she also completes the rest of the scene surrounding the creatures flawlessly, down to the very last detail on the page.

Quill says: With its fun and catchy sing-song story along with its vivid, amusing illustrations, Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo is sure to capture the hearts of young children. Welton has achieved another winner that is sure to find its way onto the bookshelves of beginning readers.

For more information on Choo! Choo! Choo! The Train at the Zoo, please visit the author's website at: www.kathywelton.com