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Summary: Enduring classic
Review: This book is a classic tale about technology and obsolescence and the consequences for the people whose jobs are eclipsed by the advancement of technology. Mike Mulligan has a wonderful steam shovel (have you ever seen such a beast yourself?). The steam shovel was very important in the past- -it built canals, airfields, and even moved mountains. But nowadays, people use diesel-powered diggers, not steam shovels, and Mulligan's poor steam shovel is no longer in demand. In a tiny town out in the countryside, Mulligan gets one last job for his steam shovel, digging the foundation for a new city hall. Once the job is finished, the future does not look bright for Mulligan and his steam shovel. However, a small boy points out that they can be retrained- -the steam shovel can become the boiler for the new building, and Mulligan its janitor. Brilliant solution- -the last page shows the steam shovel sitting in the cellar, happily belching out steam to all parts of the building while Mulligan shovels coal into its hopper. The book doesn't have any elements that would scare young readers, and children with a fascination for heavy equipment will be delighted with the action. The big message can bring out a lot of questions and food for thought, however. The book has about 1100 words.
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Summary: Digging Up the Deeper Meaning....
Review: Virginia Lee Burton's classic imparts value far beyond its original intent. Sure, the saga of Mike and his beloved steam shovel celebrates the development of roads, canals, skyscrapers, and other trappings of modern infrastructure. But messages emerge on other levels. One is the inexorable march of technological obsolescence and its impact on society. Also, legal scholars (and perhaps novelist John Grisham) may appreciate the subplot involving town selectman Henry B. Swap's promise to Mike-exemplifying the practical problems of verbal contract arrangements. The happy ending is a solution entirely consistent with the book's 1939 vintage. What would happen if the same story were told in the year 2000, when fuel cells, microturbines, and cogeneration options exist? Maybe state utility regulators would get a clue from Mike and his steam shovel. Or then again, maybe not. But as-is, the delightful illustrations in this book cannot help but to endear it to children just as much today as it did sixty years ago....
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Summary: A story that never gets old
Review: My son loves this book and I love reading it to him. It will quickly become a favorite in your house too.
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Summary: There are no obsolete people
Review: This book is a wonderful story about a man and his machine. Mary Anne, and old steam shovel is about to be replaced by the modern diesel s and electric shovels. To prove her worth, they engage in a John Henry-esque race to dig the basement of the new Sky Scraper. She manages to dig the basement, but she is stuck! Instead of junking her, they convert her boiler into the heater for the new building.What a message! There is no obsolescence, but just new challenges that can be overcome. Mike and Mary Anne prove their worth in sticking it out, and adapting to new circumstances. Children are empowered to see problems as opportunities, and are taught that even the obsolete have a place in society. I have a friend who was sexually abused as a child, and the message of this book helps me help him. Everyone has a nitch, if we can just find it and capitalize on our talents. This message can empower anyone.
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Summary: A classic story with warm, active pictures
Review: The cover of this book is the same as my old, dog-eared copy from my childhood 30 years ago. A Caldecott Award winner, the pictures drive the tale as much as the plot. An excellent book from cover-to-cover. Re-reading it now brings back great memories and fascination of how Mike Mulligan and his beloved steam shovel worked hard to accomplish a fantastic task. Whenever people watched them dig, they always worked a little better and a little faster. A modern John Henry, Mike faces the challenge of new technology. Undaunted, like the famous hammer-driving tall tale hero, he struggles to meet the task. Can he dig a hole faster than the new machine? Can he and his mighty red-metal friend do it by the end of the day? A great story of perseverence and hard work, I fully recommend "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel." Place it on your shelf next to "Make Way for Dcklings" and "Where the Wild Things Are." Anthony Trendl
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Summary: I loved it as a child, my childern love it too.
Review: I couldn't wait until my twins were old enough for Mike. They're now 2 1/2 and love hearing about Mike and Mary Anne. A great story of friendship, taking pride in one's work and problem solving. Never mind the 1939 date, this story works forever. I now get to read it at least twice a day and it never gets old.
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Summary: A Tale of Two Friends
Review: Just thinking about this delightful book makes me smile. I remember Captain Kangaroo reading it on his television show, and I checked it out from the Bookmobile with my own library card.
Mike Mulligan and Mary Ann are best friends and co-workers. They might be running out of work soon, though, since Mary Ann runs on steam--not as efficient as the diesel shovels. A bargain with the town of Popperville gives the twosome one last shot to strut their stuff, and as the town gathers, a few residents at a time, Mike and Mary Ann prove that friendship lasts, even when diesel shovels take over.
This book is equally appealing to boys and girls, and it will forever occupy a favored place in my memories. It's as wonderful a story today as it was when published in 1939. God bless Mike and Mary Ann.
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Summary: Nobody can do it like a steam shovel
Review: I tend to bring a lot of picture books into my home. My husband doesn't mind, but neither does he show an inordinate amount of interest in them. Enter "Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel". Suddenly my husband was elated by the appearance of this book. "This was the only book we had in my Kindergarten class!", quoth he. After he'd picked through it once more, I had my chance to glance through the story. Admittedly, I did not know of the adventures of Mike Mulligan or trusty Mary Ann until rather late in life. But looking at my hubby's gleeful expression on seeing it again, I know that this is one of those classics that sits in the back of the memory for years and years and years. Mike Mulligan (Irish, according to the book flap) runs a delightful steam shovel named Mary Ann. The opening spread shows Mike waving at the viewer, while meticulous arrows indicate every lever, cog, and line in Mary Ann's hull. In a rather John Henryish turn of events, Mary Ann is eventually determined to be obsolete in the face of the fancier gasoline, electric and Diesel shovels. Mike refuses to give up his precious steam shovel, however, and a race to prove that Mary Ann can dig as much in a day as a hundred men can dig in a week explodes in a riveting (ho ho) finish. Books about trucks, construction equipment, and planes is commonplace today. But such modern day classics as "I Stink" owe a great debt to the path that "Mike Mulligan" paved. Here we have a beautifully illustrated (in color at that!) story about two of the best friends in the world. Those kids interested in the technical aspects of steam shovels will be in heaven. And those that just like a rip-roaring yarn about a race against the clock will have a ball as well. Interestingly, author/illustrator Virginia Lee Burton chooses not to close up on Mike Mulligan's face at any point. When we do see him, he's usually viewed at a distance, waving, weeping, and smoking to his heart's content. It's Mary Ann that get the full frontal treatment, and she's a joy. Who could have thought a steam shovel to be so eloquent and emotional? That's the joy of this story and the genius of Virginia Lee Burton's masterwork.
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Summary: My almost 3 year old LOVES it
Review: I vaguely remembered this book from childhood and hadn't seen it around lately so wondered if it was maybe not PC, somehow, so I checked it out from the library and was thrilled that while it has some MILDLY sexist language, "girl who answers the telephones" instead of woman or lady, It is a charming and relevant story of overcoming obstacles and maybe even depression. My son loves it. I just hope his personal copy arrives before I have to take the library copy back! He is mesmerized by the illustrations and the little boy, especially. The emotions evidently speak to him, also. He is very empathetic and concerned that Mike and Mary Anne are sad when they have no work. I would highly recommend it, even though it's hard to explain about obsolescence to an almost three year old.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Classic
Review: I got this book back in 1978 when i was 3... and i still read it from time to time... I cant wait to share it with my children...
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