Shortcut by Donald Crews

Shortcut

Paperback – Picture Book, September 20, 1996

Donald Crews

HarperCollins · Paperback · September 20, 1996

From Donald Crews, the Caldecott Honor artist and award-winning creator of Bigmama's, Freight Train, and many other classic picture books for young children, comes "a superb example of the picture book as theater; a suspense thriller for younger audiences" (Horn Book starred review).

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Who it’s for
A theatrical picture book makes a familiar shortcut feel suspenseful.
Themes
Family bonds across generations, Choosing a safer route
Pacing
Fast

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  6. Freight Train Board BookDonald Crews71% matchShares Trains & Railways

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About this book

From Donald Crews, the Caldecott Honor artist and award-winning creator of Bigmama's, Freight Train, and many other classic picture books for young children, comes "a superb example of the picture book as theater; a suspense thriller for younger audiences" (Horn Book starred review).

Continue reading

It's getting late following a day of play, So seven children decide to take the shortcut home to Bigmama's, even though that means walking along the train tracks when they know they should always take the road. The coast seems clear... This companion to Bigmama's will enthrall young readers at home or in the classroom. An exciting story with a clear implicit lesson and a happy ending, children will be on the edge of their seats as they follow along. A fun read-aloud, it also helps children ages 3 to 6 learn about how to share details of place in storytelling. Celebrate the bonds of family over generations with Donald Crews's evocative picture books Shortcut and Bigmama's.

Tracks and Tension

A theatrical picture book makes a familiar shortcut feel suspenseful.

Come here for

  • A lively read-aloud with the tension of a small adventure
  • Storytelling that makes details of place matter

Expect

  • A clear lesson and a happy ending
  • Family bonds across generations

Where it sits

Family Stories69%
US: African American Stories66%
Trains & Railways47%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • US Biographies
  • US: African American Stories
  • New Baby Stories
  • Sibling Stories
Show all 8 publisher categories
  • Stepfamily Stories
  • U.S. History
  • Friendship
  • Trains & Railways
Authors
Donald Crews
Publisher
HarperCollins
Published
September 20, 1996
Format
Paperback
Theme
Family bonds across generations · Choosing a safer route
Reading lane
US Biographies