Donald Crews

Every year the narrator and his family take a trip down to Cottondale, Florida, to visit his grandmother, Bigmama. This autobiographical story recalls the joys of summer and the contrast between the author’s life in the city and Bigmama’s lush, rural home. While the illustrations suggest it was a period of segregation, this thought never overpowers the carefree summer celebration.

The individual cars of a long freight train — each a different color — travel through the country and past cities. Building speed as it goes, colors blur until the train again slows. This seemingly simple book provides a memorable journey for young readers.