Niccolini's Song

by Chuck Wilcoxen

Book Overview

Niccolini is no ordinary night watchman in the train yard. He has a special talent: he can sing overwrought locomotives to sleep. Before long, parents get wind of Niccolini's skill and bring their crying babies, sleepless children, and barking dogs to the rail yard, hoping to soothe them into slumber. But how will Niccolini's gentle song be heard in all this racket? Gorgeously brought to life with dramatic oil paintings, Niccolini's Song is music so sweet, and a story so comforting, even the most restless young listeners will drift off to peaceful dreams.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525468056
• ISBN13: 9780525468059
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 10.6" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 4 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

Beautiful book and a touching story.

We bought this book as a special treat for my 3 year old son who is train obsessed. From the first read, he AND his little sister loved it. The story is wonderfully soothing to read at night. If we happen to read it during the day we always find something new. (Look closely at the paper blowing in the wind). I would recommend this book to a girl or boy.

The Train Kept A-Singing, All Night Long

Very rarely have I seen nighttime so beautifully portrayed as in "Niccolini's Song," a magical, book about a night watchman sings lullabies to the trains he cares for. Wearing his engineer-striped cap and denim overalls, the mustachioed, big-eyed Niccolini is a comforting presence: "Some watchmen were as cold and hard as the engines they cared for. Niccolini was not. He was a quiet man. His wife always said he was a good listener." Usually there's no trouble at the train yard, but Niccolini is ready with his whistle and his legs just in case. One night, he hears mysterious sounds, which is just a family of raccoons. However, he then hears low whispers: "No, please, no more whistling." "Seventy-six boxcars from here to Waxahachie, and only three hours sleep." turn "Would you sing to me....Something low and sweet?" The whispers are from a train ("it takes a very good listener to hear a steam engine worry"), and it implores Niccolini for comfort with a song. His hand on the locomotive, Niccolini closes his eyes, remembers a tune his mother used to sing to him, and makes up new words that lull the engine to sleep. The picture of Niccolini singing to the train is as warm as the night must be cold; it's an outstanding illustration by Mark Buehner. Many authors would be satisfied to let the narrative end here; it's already a lovely story. However, author Chuck Wilcoxen extends it in an imaginative way. Niccolini's soothing lullabies not only sooth the trains that need it, but an ever increasing number of mothers who bring their crying babies to the train yard to hear Niccolini. And, on one particular night, when the wind is howling and all the unsettled babies in the neighborhood come with mothers and fathers to the yard, Niccolini conducts a concert of trains, all playing Niccolini's song by softly blowing their whistles. The clouds, as if directed by Niccolini as well, form in to soft animal shapes, and both parents and kids become calm, trudging back up the hill to their little houses. Buehner, a veteran of many children's books, paints a velvety nightscape sharp outlines and warm facial colors that melt away fears of the dark, and first-time author Wilcoxen masterfully tells a soothing, wistful, and very imaginative tale. This is one of the best children's books of the year, and it would make an excellent gift. Simply magnificent.

Even trains need lullabies

Niccolini's Song fell into the hands of my three year old son and we've been reading it ever since. The illustrations are lush, and the story is enchanting. Descriptions such as "...stroking the damp hair of their sleeping children..." make the story one I can relate to, and the fact that the big trains need lullabies is comforting to my son. If you have a train lover on your shopping list, you can't go wrong with this book.

Wonderful Book!!!

This book is so enchanting and keeps the attention of my very active 2 yr. old son. The artwork is beautiful and the story itself is very sweet. A must read!!!

What a lovely book!

My train obsessed three year old LOVES this book. It's our #1 request at bedtime! The story is lovely, the pictures are incredible.