Locomative On An Adventure Trip

The first children’s (song) book published by Carus Hans, mach Dampf! [Hans, Steam On!]  by Peter Schindler had been her stady companion throuout her association with the Carus publishing hous and she still likes to flip through its pages. The musical children’s story is not only nice to read (aloud) and – thanks to the sing-along CD – to listen to, it is also beautifully and comprehensibly illustrated for younger children.

Peter Schindler’s picture book, “Hans, mach Dampf!” (Hans, Steam on!) which, incidentally, was the first edition of children’s songs published by Carus, has been my steady companion throughout my association with our publishing house: From the time I first began working here ten years ago, in receiving, when I first held the book in my hands I was immediately enthused by this lovely story:

Hans, the steam locomotive, travels the world over with all his adventure-loving passengers, meeting interesting characters and delighting in their exciting and funny stories. The songs we get to hear, “on the road” with Hans are all found on the accompanying CD. The varied and interesting stories in the book are richly described with attractive color illustrations.

I have given this book to many of my friends and relatives, for even today, Hans’s adventures are truly timeless. For children of kindergarten or pre-school age the beautiful pictures are naturally very attractive and when parents read the story about to them and play all the songs on the CD, then the story of Hans the locomotive is wonderful and really comes alive. I would love to see this story presented on stage, an experience which would surely be a rewarding project for any children’s choir.