The Little Red Caboose (Little Golden Book) cover

The Little Red Caboose (Little Golden Book)

by Marian Potter

The little red caboose always came last. By the time the little red caboose came along, the boys and girls were turning away. "How I wish I were a big black engine, puffing and chuffing way up at the front of the train! But I'm just the little old red caboose. Nobody cares for me." The train went slower and slower and s-l-o-w-e-r. It looked as if that train could not get up the mountain. The little red caboose slammed on his brakes. And he held tight to the tracks. And he kept that train from sliding down the mountain! Now, children wave at the big black engine and at all the cars. But they save their biggest waves for the little red caboose. Because the little red caboose saved the train.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?