From Bob McKinnon comes this modern retelling of the beloved classic, Little Engine that Could, that asks young readers, “How does your journey differ from others?” It also serves as a thank you letter to all the parents, teachers, role models, and even strangers, who help to clear the storm or pull the tree trunk from their track.
Available in your favorite bookstores.
Have you ever asked yourself this question? Or wondered why your life turned differently than you expected or from others you know. On this site, you’ll find tools, writing and podcast episodes that explores this question and others. Watch Bob’s TEDx talk to learn about his journey and the science behind how we see our lives and those of others.
Children’s Books
I think I can, I think I can, I think I… can’t? What’s an Engine to do when even believing in yourself won’t get you to the top of the mountain? In this modern retelling of the beloved The Little Engine That Could, The Little Blue Engine and her friends attempt to reach the town on the other side of the mountain, but they quickly realize that not every engine is on the same track, and they all face different obstacles in their journey. In Three Little Engines author Bob McKinnon asks young readers: How does your journey differ from others?
While paying homage to the beloved classic, author Bob McKinnon acknowledges that although positive thinking and confidence are important, they are not always enough to help you succeed. In many instances, success requires a helping hand. This book is a gentle introduction to the idea of socioeconomic mobility and inequality in America. Heavily inspired by his own experiences, McKinnon teaches the youngest of readers how to recognize opportunity and inequality in the American Dream, and, most importantly, how to extend a helping hand to those on different tracks of life. At its heart, Three Little Engines is a thank you letter to all the parents, teachers, role models, and even strangers, who help to clear the storm or pull the tree trunk from your track.
Three Little Engines is now a New York Times best seller! Order your copy today from your favorite online bookseller or your local bookstore:
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Newsletter
War
During World War II, my grandfather was killed when a submarine hit his ship off the coast of North Africa. My mother never got to meet her dad and of course, neither did I.
Last week, the U.S. fired its first torpedo since World War II, also sinking a vessel in the Indian Ocean. I’m assuming among the 83 dead, there were men who will never meet their grandchildren either.
There is an obvious cost of war. Not just in the soldiers who die but the ripple effect on their families.
Tragically, it is not only soldiers who die in war. A bomb struck a girl’s school last week, killing dozens of children. One can only imagine how many generations of a family or a country will grieve for the senseless loss AND hate those responsible for it.
On Wednesday, I sat on a bench in my town basking in the glow of a sun that has been missing too long. I noticed two boys across the street. They couldn’t be more than four or five years old. They were marching up the hill, chanting, “Hut, 1, 2, 3, 4. Hut, 1,2,3,4.” Suddenly they ran for cover, firing their imaginary machine guns, brought to life with their rhythmic screams of “rat-a-tat-tat.”
It was a scene reminiscent of my own childhood and I wondered when and why young boys of any generation learn to “play” war.
One might ask why in a column called, Moving Up Mondays, I would write about the tragedy of war. It’s simple. War steals opportunity. Lives are both directly and indirectly shaped by these conflicts in ways that can reverberate for generations.
Beyond the human cost of war, there is also the financial one.
Currently, the United States alone is spending one billion dollars a day in this war. That is four times as much as we spend on the arts in a year. The first week of the war will be the equivalent to what we spend annually to provide food and nutrition support to women and infants. If the war lasts a month, it could cost the equivalent of what we spend in a year on cancer research.
Apparently, it is easier to find money for bombs than it is for arts, food and cures.
Our connection to war, like those two little boys, can become fanciful. “Leaders” wield power indiscriminately and talk about “acceptable loss and casualties.” Jingoistically we talk of good winning over evil.
We move about our days, perhaps catching the news or tuning it out. Maybe we notice or complain when conflict drives up the cost of our gas, oil or other goods. We may disagree with our leaders but our opposition is limited to our expressions of frustration and muted resignation.
What more is there to do? I don’t know. But at the very least, we can acknowledge and respect the profundity of human loss.
Recommendation of the Week: Take a few minutes now to search for the names or images of the school children lost. In doing so, connect your humanity to theirs.
Monday Morning Notes
Delivered to your mailbox each Monday morning, these short notes offer an opportunity each week to reflect on who and what contributes to where we end up in life. Readers tell us it’s a great way to start their week on a positive note. See the latest note below:
War
During World War II, my grandfather was killed when a submarine hit his ship off the coast of North Africa. My mother never got to meet her dad and of course, neither did I. Last week, the U.S. fired its first torpedo since World War II, also sinking a vessel in the Indian Ocean. I’m …
Attribution with Bob McKinnon
Attribution is a podcast, where people from all walks of life, reflect on who and what has contributed to where they ended up. Our hope is after each episode, you feel a little more inspired, grateful, or supported, then when you first hit play. Check out the latest episode below:
Episode 35: Class Matters w/ Richard Kahlenberg
Richard D. Kahlenberg is an education and housing policy researcher, writer, consultant, and speaker. He is also Director of Housing Policy and Director of the American Identity Project at the Progressive Policy Institute. The author or editor of 19 books, his latest is Class Matters: The Fight to Get Beyond Race Preferences, Reduce Inequality, and Build Real Diversity at America’s Colleges. This was a deep and challenging conversation about class, race, higher education, affirmative action and social mobility.