
Shortcut
Paperback – Picture Book, September 20, 1996
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).
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- 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
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved.
Sail AwayDonald Crews57% match
Truck Board BookDonald Crews68% match
Two Little TrainsMargaret Wise Brown58% matchShares Trains & Railways
The Fox Went Out on a Chilly NightPeter Spier55% match
Something BeautifulSharon Dennis Wyeth56% matchShares US: African American Stories
Freight Train Board BookDonald Crews71% matchShares Trains & Railways
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout 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 Stories | 69% |
|---|---|
| US: African American Stories | 66% |
| Trains & Railways | 47% |
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