Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel: Story and Pictures (Sandpiper Books) - Softcover

Burton, Virginia Lee

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0395259398 ISBN 13: 9780395259399

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (Trade), 1977

Synopsis

"In print now for almost forty years, the story of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel is as fresh today as when it was published -- and it will speaks directly to children." -- from the jacket

About this title

Review:

Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne make quite a team. The inseparable duo digs the great canals for the big boats to travel through, cuts through the large mountains so that the trains could pass and hollows out the deep cellars for the great skyscrapers in the city. But the introduction of gasoline, electric and diesel shovels means big trouble for Mike and Mary Anne. No one wants an old-fashioned steam shovel like Mary Anne when a modern shovel can do the digging in half the time! Forced to travel far out of the city to look for work, Mike and Mary Anne find themselves in the little town of Popperville. Mike and Mary Anne make a bid to dig the cellar for the new town hall, promising the town that if they can't dig the cellar in just one day then no payment for the job is required. Will Mike and Mary Anne be able to complete the job? The whole town of Popperville turns out to watch. Virginia Lee Burton, author of such classic children's books as The Little House and Katy and the Big Snow, offers a touching portrait of love and dedication while commenting on the modernization that continuously shapes our lives. Hamilton's wonderful crayon drawings bring Mike and the indomitable Mary Anne to life.

Review:

"This is fun both in its text and gray crayon drawings. Mike Mulligan remains faithful to his steam shovel Mary Anne, against the threat of the new gas and diesel-engine contraptions, and digs his way to a surprising and happy ending." The New Yorker

About this edition

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (Trade)
• Publication date: 1977
• ISBN 10: 0395259398
• ISBN 13: 9780395259399
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 48