About this book

***3 STARRED REVIEWS***

* “A vivid evocation of place and era rolling solidly on a bed of timeless values.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “A child-friendly picture book introducing the Great Migration.” — Booklist, starred review

* “Lends the meandering feel of family stories to this portrait of a historical moment.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

Thelma loves to watch the Sunset Limited chug through her little town of Vacherie, Louisiana. And she dreams of one day riding a real train! For now, she has her beloved schooltrain. Every morning, she and her friends walk to school, single file, chanting all the way:

“Schooltrain! Schooltrain! Don’t be late! The school bell rings at half past eight!”

Then it’s on to great adventures with her teacher’s books — and her own imagination!

But lately, someone named Jim Crow has been making trouble for folks in Vacherie. Aunt Bea and Uncle Ed have already moved away. When Thelma’s best friend also has to leave, Thelma wonders, who is Jim Crow and why does he have to be so mean? Will he make trouble for Pop, too?

Reviews

Praise for All Aboard the Schooltrain:

* “Armand retraces both the metaphorical and actual journeys, filling in details about Jim Crow as well as the Great Migration and her family’s experience of them. A vivid evocation of place and era rolling solidly on a bed of timeless values.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* “The genuine warmth of the text derives from Armand’s portrayal of Thelma's supportive family and close-knit Black community, which nurture and protect her. The story is firmly rooted in experiences from the author’s childhood and her mother’s…Morris’ imaginative digital illustrations feature lively, active scenes and expressive character portrayals. A child-friendly picture book introducing the Great Migration.” — Booklist, starred review

* “[In this] child’s view of the Great Migration. . . . Morris’s digitally collaged tissue paper illustrations foreground figures and wide-open landscapes, and Armand, who draws on personal history, lends the meandering feel of family stories to this portrait of a historical moment.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review