Additional information
by Ariel Vanece (Author), Jade Orlando (Illustrator)
A young girl uses her wits, science, and a little inspiration from her train engineer grandfather to get her toy train to run in this endearing picture book.
"Well, good morning to you," Pop Pop says."And good night to you!" Atticus says. Each morning when the clock strikes six and the front door rattles, Atticus runs to greet her grandpa on his way in from work. Pop Pop's tools go clank clank clank all through the night, so trains can chug chug chug and choo choo choo all through the day. He's a railroad mechanic. And when Pop Pop ends his night shift, that's when Atticus's day shift starts. She's a train mechanic too. But when she can't figure out how to get her toy train to climb a hill, can she and Pop Pop use their mechanic skills to get the problem licked and the train on its way?
Author Biography
Ariel Vanece (she/they) is a Black American author from Sacramento, California. They hold a BA in English from the University of Kansas and an MA/MFA in children's literature and writing for children from Simmons University. Ariel's stories focus on Black American culture and intergenerational friendships. Their stories are described as heartwarming and adventurous.
Jade Orlando was born on an army base in North Carolina and grew up in a tiny Michigan town. After an impassioned childhood spent drawing dragons and cat ladies, she earned a BFA in illustration from SCAD Savannah. Jade worked as a staff children's apparel artist before switching to freelance full time. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, a greyhound, and four cats (including two naked ones!). When she's not drawing, she can usually be found curled up with her cats and a really good book.
Number of Pages: 29
Publication Date: September 22, 2026
