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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Lyrics
When I was younger I looked forward to new album releases from my favorite artists. With money earned from working on farms or in fast food restaurants, I would go to the store and buy the album, cassette or CD – depending on the preferred audio medium of the day. Returning home, I would listen to the album from start to finish while reading the lyrics in the liner notes. They felt like poetry in motion; lines, verses or choruses that spoke to me as if I was the only person in the world at that time. Serving as a salve for whatever wounded feelings of unrequited love, disillusionment, or injustice – I was licking at the time.
Occasionally, I’ll try to replicate that experience when a new album gets dropped on a streaming service but the feeling of reading lyrics on the screen is different then holding them in your hand. A more common experience is to stumble upon a song that the service has served me. If the melody lands, I’ll pick up my guitar, open an app with chord progressions and try to play along. Gradually moving from hapless to passable.
The power of a good lyric still moves me but is more unpredictable. In just the last week, three songs by three different artists gave me pause for different types of reflection.
The Irish trio, Amble’s, song Mary’s Pub, brought me back to love’s early days with lines like:
You smiled and braced my hand and pulled me into some old bar
And we drank a drop and we twirled and talked about our lives so far
Noah Kahan’s The Great Divide made me consider the anguish I may have missed in old friends:
You know I think about you all the time
And my deep misunderstanding of your life
And how bad it must have been for you back then
And how hard it was to keep it all inside
Cameron Whitcomb’s Call for You wistfully recalled the unconditional love of my mom:
The world is full of hands
That hold you when it’s worth it
But you gave me a chance
When they thought I was worthless
So when I fall like I do
I’ll call for you
There are over a hundred million songs on Spotify alone. It would take a thousand years to listen to them all. Yet these three different songs randomly hitting the same Spotify mix this week provided me with the gift of reflection and appreciation. Imagine how many other lyrics are out there that could do the same.
This Week’s Recommendation: If you have 49 minutes and 50 seconds. Check out Amble’s album, Reverie. It is the very definition of their name: “a walk at a slow, relaxed pace, especially for pleasure.”
Share this post (and perhaps a song) with a music lover in your life.
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:
Lyrics
When I was younger I looked forward to new album releases from my favorite artists. With money earned from working on farms or in fast food restaurants, I would go to the store and buy the album, cassette or CD – depending on the preferred audio medium of the day. Returning home, I would listen …
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.