Grandpa's Wooden Train

by Nell Barrow

A rainy day, a special train.

Kindergarten: Emergent readers10 pages

A toddler and her grandpa set up his old wooden train, one piece at a time

Characters

Wren

Grandpa

Wooden Toy Diorama

Story Arc

Rain fell outside. Wren played inside. She set out tracks.

Wren built a big loop. One curved piece was gone. The train could not go ‘round.

Wren looked fast. She scanned the rug. Still, the train could not go ‘round.

Grandpa sat near. He watched Wren look. The train could not go ‘round and ‘round.

Wren looked under a pillow. She looked under a book. No, the train could not go ‘round.

Wren looked behind a chair. She looked by the wall. The train could not go ‘round.

Wren took a breath. She closed her eyes. Grandpa nodded softly.

Wren looked slowly now. She saw a small space. Where could it be? The train could not go ‘round.

She reached a finger. Wren pulled it out! Found it! Now the train can go ‘round!

Wren added the piece. The train zipped around. The train goes ‘round and ‘round!

Make one of your own next.

tracks: These are the lines or paths that a train runs on.; She set out tracks.
loop: This is something that is shaped like a circle or a ring.; Wren built a big loop.
curved: This means bending in a smooth, rounded shape.; One curved piece was gone.
scanned: This is when you look all over a place very carefully.; She scanned the rug.
nodded: This is when you move your head up and down to show you agree or understand.; Grandpa nodded softly.
space: This is a small empty area where something can fit.; She saw a small space.
pulled: This means to move something towards you.; Wren pulled it out!
zipped: This means to move very fast and quickly.; The train zipped around.