Product Description
A modern classic that no child should miss. Since it was first published in 1939, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel has delighted generations of children. Mike and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne, dig deep canals for boats to travel through, cut mountain passes for trains, and hollow out cellars for city skyscrapers -- the very symbol of industrial America. But with progress come new machines, and soon the inseparable duo are out of work. Mike believes that Mary Anne can dig as much in a day as one hundred men can dig in a week, and the two have one last chance to prove it and save Mary Anne from the scrap heap. What happens next in the small town of Popperville is a testament to their friendship, and to old-fashioned hard work and ingenuity.

Amazon.com 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 trains can 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 they'll accept no payment for the job. 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. (Ages 3 to 6)

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 85 reviews)

Hooray for big machines!

I have the fondest memories of this book, and I was delighted to recently find a copy.

It's the ultimate "power tool" book that should please young boys--an old time steam shovel with a personality to boot that is out to prove she can still do her thing.

The drawings are detailed and gorgeous, and the end shall always be a classic.
September 27, 2008

Wonderful Classic Childrens book

This book is must for all dad's or grandpa's to read to their children. My kids memorized it and wanted it for their children when they grew up.
Great service from this seller.
May 30, 2008

Death of a Steam Shovel

Mr. Michael Mulligan and his faithful steam shovel, lovingly called Mary Anne, are working class heroes, fighting to retain their independence in the face of corporate technological prowess in the construction industry. Can outmoded steam power compete with the awesome strength of diesel? Conveniently, this book features paper (not plastic) pages, so your tot can decimate the images of the vile diesel shovels with all the rage that his or her small hands can muster. Don't' be upset about this, it's nothing a roll of clear packing tape can't fix.

Much like the story of Casey Jones, vindication of our heroes will require their demise. Tasked with one final job, the digging of the basement for a fancy town hall, Mike and Mary Anne find themselves trapped by the tremendous success of their labor. Unable to get out of the hole, Mary Anne is broken down to be made into a boiler for the new building, and Mike becomes the janitor. This is no happy ending. No longer are Mike and Mary Anne independent contractors, free to come and go as they please. Mary Anne's steam-powered feet have been bound, like a disobedient concubine. And Mike has become a low-ranking servant of the state, forever forced to feed coal into the mutilated form that was one his industrial lover. The life lesson here is that it doesn't matter if you are honest and hard-working. In fact, those are disadvantages. The only winners are the diesel shovels, destroying without remorse.

Good for tykes who like to play with blocks and toy trucks. Might as well let them know what they're in for.
May 07, 2008

Great book!

This was a favorite book from my childhood. My wife and I recently found out we will be having a little girl, and I can't wait to share this book with her.
March 08, 2008

GREAT BOOK

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST LOVED BOOKS OF MY CHILDHOOD(50'S),IT BROUGHT BACK GREAT MEMORIES.
December 11, 2007

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