A must for the truck loving child. Interesting title to include when studying obsolescence.

5/5 Ramona Quimby’s approve. ( )

What an odd story about obsolescence and repurposing! Riffing off the legend of John Henry, a steam shovel operator wagers that he can completely dig a building foundation in a day with his outdated equipment or he won't get paid. Somehow the whole town gets caught up in this race against time and circle the growing hole to watch.

The cadence of the story is weird, but lends itself to some equally weird experimentation when reading it aloud. Today I tried reading the whole thing as a boxing announcer. The anthropomorphized face on the steam shovel seems out of place and unnecessary, but sure, why not.

For me, the best part is the asterisk near the end of the story where the author acknowledges the little boy next door who came up with an ending when she literally wrote herself into a corner. How candid and considerate. ( )

The story of a steam shovel and its loving owner/operator, and the great works that they do, before steam shovels are made irrelevant by the invention of newer technologies. Great story about how the pair adapt to their new circumstances. Fantastic illustrations. A wonderful read-aloud book. ( )

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is a story about hard work and perseverance during the technology revelation. Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Ann worked hard at their jobs to help build infrastructure in the growing west. However, times are changing and new gas powered steam shovels are doing the work faster and better and threatening to end their partnership. It's their last chance to prove they can beat any modern machine and make a deal with a mayor of a town to build it's town hall in one day! The story is about dedication, loyalty and never giving up. A great lesson to learn for all kids!

Mike prefers his steam shovel to the new gas and diesel-engine contraptions and digs his way to a happy ending.