A class trip takes a hilarious turn as the Rocky Mountain Unlimited transports its eager passengers into prehistoric times.  The only person not thrilled with the change in itinerary is the teacher, Miss Pym who looks on in horror as the children cook dinosaur egg for breakfast, go stegosaurus-back-riding and pterodactyl gliding, and play soccer with their giant reptilian friends.

Claire Ewart's sweeping paintings conjure up a charming, Edenlike land, providing lush counterpoint to Paul Fleischman's delightful tongue-in-cheek story.

Reviews

"In her picture book debut, Ewart echoes Van Allsburg in her dramatic use of light and points of view, with humor and skill, she also captures the children's mixed awe and delight in their experience." -Kirkus Reviews

"Ewart's warm watercolors brighten the simplified volumes that recall Van Allsburg's style.  Young passengers who seasonally line up for The Polar Express should be delighted with a year-round excursion on the Time Train." -School Library Journal

"...Ewart's palette, with its vivid blues, greens and golds, has an otherworldly glow."
-Publisher's Weekly

"A story that makes you wish you were there." -ALA Booklist

"This you-are-there fantasy is a dream come true."
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

(most recommended children's books for Christmas 1991)
"Playfully realistic watercolors sustain the fantasy beautifully." -The New Yorker

"Ewart's handsome, dreamy illustrations are delightfully counterposed to a super cool narration by on of the kids." -The San Francisco Chronicle

(best books of the season, December 1991) -The Chicago Tribune

(best children's books of 1991) -Parents Magazine

Activities

Make your own "Time Train."  Where would your train go, and when?  How would you feel?  What would you want to learn?

Sketch the scenes you can see from your train windows as you travel.  Look at those sketches.  Can you imagine seeing that scene from a different angle?

What if you were down low staring up at a prehistoric creature that was very large?  How would you draw that?

Keep a journal of your "trip" with entries for each day and night.

Describe one of your experiences using the sights, sounds, smells, the feel of what you find!