Southwest Children's  Literature

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The New Engine/La máquina nueva

Book Review:

In The New Engine/La máquina nueva, Carlos Encinas tells a heartwarming story through the wondrous eyes of a young boy. The boy's father has been warned by his employers about possibly losing his job at the railroad company. New, unfamiliar electric engines are replacing the steam engines his father works with. Suddenly, the boy begins to fear this change that brings with it an uncertainty he has never felt before. After attempting to resist the change, he realizes that he must instead face it and learn to adapt. His father too will get the opportunity to adapt and will be trained to work on the new engines.

This remarkably touching story resonates with childlike sincerity and wholesomeness. The illustrations are equally as fascinating, with expressive, assertive and nostalgic elements all present simultaneously. The author achieves this through computer-generated artwork which allows him to compose his collages, altering and overlapping images to create illustrations that enhance the story's powerful message.

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