Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

I am so sad to say that this edition has been cut and bowdlerized. Do not purchase. It leaves half the story out and it is the half of the story that builds suspense. Mike agrees to dig the cellar in one day or not get paid. This part is extremely important. Yet, it has been cut completely out of the book! Several other sentences and whole pages were cut as well. And the "redemption" of the greedy selectman, Henry B. Swap, has also been cut. Sadly, I bought it in the fall, but since my child had so many new books for birthday and Christmas we are just getting to it now, or else I would $6 back.

I am a huge Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel book. I remember it as a child, raised all my children reading it and now on a grandchild. After he destroyed the hardback I thought I'd be smart and order the board book. GUESS WHAT! THE BOARD BOOKS HAVE BEEN EDITED!!! Much of the rhythm of this wonderful children's book has been removed! UGH! I've contacted the publisher hoping it was just an error in printing. Nope, that's the way they've formatted it. I'm returning because it's not the true Mike Mulligan and Mary Ann book.

It's hard to find quality board books. They always have a "new twist," or are abridged, or dumbed down, or whatever. This is great. So far I love Virginia Burton's board books. They seem to be full length (the longest board books we own). They are very high quality (my 8 month old hasn't been able to chew any part of it off), and with really meaningful stories. I own this and the Little House, and I absolutely love the interplay between city and country life, the love of progress, but also the drawbacks. The illustrations are also complex and interesting to look at the details. Since it's longer, I usually read this one to him when we have a little more time, or he isn't over tired. It's at his attention limit for now, which is just what I want. I plan on getting all her books, highly recommend.

One of my son's favorites-- at about 20 months old, he could recite 90% of the story from memory, just looking at the pictures. The premise is silly, of course, but as with all of her books, it gives kids a sense of how the world and society changes over time, but with lovable characters, incredible illustrations in her signature style, and a great rhythm in the writing. Ordered this copy for a birthday gift for my nephew.

I bought this book for our Son before he was born. This story is one that I remember fondly. My parents would read me this on a regular basis and tell me all about the adventures of Mike Mulligan and Him Steam Shovel Mary Anne. I would recommend this book to any parent to share with their child.

The wonderful illustration and descriptive textdo a wonderful job of conveying the story of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel I would recommend this story for parents to read the small children but it would be more difficult for children to read for themselves.

One of the best and most memorable children's books ever written! I loved it then, and I love it now. The illustrations and the words, both by the author, are timeless. Everyone should read and enjoy Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel!

I ordered Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel for my 15 month old who is fascinated with diggers. The story is so sweet and follows the life of a steam shovel, Mary Ann, and her operator Mike. When steam shovels are replaced with newly invented diesel engine shovels, etc, the pair has to find a new home. A great story about perseverance and re-purposing outdated machinery instead of junking it. There are a lot of words, so I would say this book is best for an older age group..maybe 4-5 and up. That being said, my little person does on occasion sit through this entire story.

This is a lovely classic any under five would love. A heartwarming story of love and loyalty.

I read this with my children and thought my grandchildren would also enjoy it. But the drawings and the subject matter are now too old fashioned and it was not such a success. The topic was rather sad too though it could give rise to much talk about obsolescence.

Great story, children love it

Good book

grandchild loves this - oddly as it is very old fashioned in a very nice way though!

I loved this book when I was a child and still love it, so great to be able to take it on holiday as an e-book on a tablet to read to the children. However, the transformation of the original into an e-book is not as slick as for some books. Lee Burton embedded here text alongside pictures, so it is difficult to get magnified text to read at the same time as the pictures. The separate text may then end up being replicated onto a page with a picture that contains different embedded text

First read this great book at primary school loved it . I was amazed that it was still available some forty years later

Wonderful story of the little steam shovel, which was a favourite of my husband as a boy 75 years ago and will now delight his small grandson, we hope

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is a classic book for young children. Our 2 year old grandson loves the detailed pencil drawings of his favorite thing, which he calls a "tractor." As he grows older the poignant story of a steam shovel that has become obsolete will be more relevant to him. I read this story to my children, and my mother read it to me when I was a child, a long time ago. Anne

This was one of my favourite books when I was a little boy. Read reading it 65 years on, I can see that it is rather dated now. As an illustrator myself I can see how things have moved on. The story itself reflects change and how the new and modern takes over from the old. I now see this book is a nice little bit of social history.

very good

Item was advertised as used-very good, but arrived with obvious wear and writing inside. Very disappointed as this was a gift.

Although I and my family have always loved this book, the e-book version is pretty well useless. It consists of miniature-sized pages sitting in the middle of the (Kindle app) screen with no way to enlarge them. Double tapping on the sentences "enlarges" them to something just barely readable, but there's no way to enlarge the illustrations.I should have known that the price of $1.99 was too good to be true. Serves me right for being so cheap! In any case, learn from my mistake and don't buy this.

This was one of my favourite books that I got to have as a kid and now I can read it to my kids.As some advice if you like this book then I would suggest to get the collection as they are all awesome and have great lessons too!

An enjoyable and exciting book! The pages are thick, the illustrations are just enough to tell the story but not too much so you can engage your imagination. A lovable classic that is doubly enjoyable when listening to Maestro Classics musical telling of the story (we got the download straight from their site with the same title) while turning the pages at the right time.