Few things capture young children’s imaginations like trains — from the rumble of a steam engine to the excitement of a speeding express! Whether your child dreams of driving a locomotive, loves hearing train stories, or enjoys discovering how trains work, there’s a wonderful book waiting for them. This handpicked list includes train books for all ages, from delightful board books for toddlers to fascinating non-fiction titles for older children who want to dive deeper into the world of railways.
Age 1–3
- The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
A classic, timeless story about perseverance and optimism, featuring the brave little blue engine who thought she could. - Thomas the Tank Engine: The Complete Collection by Rev. W. Awdry
The original Thomas stories are still magical — a must for any young train fan! You can also find board book versions for toddlers if the full collection feels too long. - Freight Train by Donald Crews
A beautifully simple, colourful book showing a train and its cars moving across the landscape. Great for very young children learning colours, movement, and basic train vocabulary. - Choo Choo by Virginia Lee Burton
A classic from the creator of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel — a charming old-fashioned tale of a little engine going on a big adventure. - Trains: First Explorers (Campbell Books) by Christiane Engel
A fun board book with sliders and tabs — perfect for little hands to explore and learn all about trains! - Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
A beautifully illustrated, rhythmic bedtime story featuring a dream train loaded by animals — calming, imaginative, and perfect for winding down. - Busy Trains (Busy Books) by Rebecca Finn
A sturdy board book with interactive push, pull, and slide mechanisms — great for toddlers who like to get hands-on with their books! - Train! by Judi Abbot
A cheerful and simple story about a little bear who loves trains, but learns to share his love with others. Bright, colourful, and toddler-friendly. - All Aboard the Dinotrain by Deb Lund
Dinosaurs on a train? What could be better! A very fun, bouncy rhyming story that combines two toddler favourites: trains and dinosaurs. - Maisy’s Train by Lucy Cousins
Maisy the mouse drives a train and picks up her animal friends along the way. Bright colours, simple text — ideal for very young readers.
Age 3-7
- See Inside Trains (Usborne See Inside) by Emily Bone
A brilliant lift-the-flap board book packed with detailed scenes and facts about trains — perfect for curious little ones who love exploring how things work. - The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
A timeless classic featuring the brave little blue engine who teaches children about perseverance, positivity, and believing in themselves. - The Train Ride by June Crebbin and Stephen Lambert
A gentle, lyrical story following a little girl’s enchanting train journey through countryside landscapes — ideal for sharing with younger children. - If I Built a Train by Chris Van Dusen
A wonderfully imaginative and humorous story where a boy dreams up the ultimate fantasy train — complete with swimming pools, zoos, and even doughnut shops! - Usborne Look Inside Trains by Emily Bone
A slightly simpler lift-the-flap book compared to See Inside Trains, with bright illustrations and engaging facts, perfect for early readers. - National Geographic Readers: Trains by Amy Shields
A vibrant non-fiction reader filled with real photographs, simple facts, and fun details about different kinds of trains — excellent for young independent readers. - Terrific Trains (Amazing Machines series) by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker
A cheerful rhyming story mixed with basic train facts and bright, friendly illustrations — a perfect combination of fun and learning.
Age 7-10
- The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
A beloved classic about three siblings who move to the countryside near a railway after their father is mysteriously taken away. Full of adventure, kindness, and the magic of old-fashioned steam trains. - The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman (Adventures on Trains series)
The first book in a brilliant modern mystery series where a boy embarks on a thrilling journey aboard a royal steam train and uncovers a jewel thief. Exciting and beautifully written — perfect for budding detectives and train lovers! - The Great Train Robbery by Chris Priestley
A gripping historical adventure about a young boy who gets caught up in a daring train robbery. Fast-paced, vivid, and packed with suspense. - Locomotive by Brian Floca
A beautifully illustrated non-fiction book that brings to life the experience of riding a steam train across 19th-century America. Fascinating, atmospheric, and ideal for readers who enjoy a mix of fact and storytelling. - The Secret Railway by Wendy Meddour and Sam Usher
A magical adventure about two children who discover an old railway hidden beneath their grandparents’ house — a charming story full of wonder, friendship, and imagination.
Age 11+
- How Trains Work by Clive Gifford and James Gulliver Hancock
A fun, detailed look at how trains are built and operate — from steam engines to high-speed trains. Brilliant for curious minds who love mechanics and design. - Trains: The History and Legacy of Rail Travel by Charles River Editors
A well-written, accessible history of trains, from the first steam locomotives to modern high-speed rail. Great for young teens who enjoy history or transport topics. - Train: The Definitive Visual History by DK
A stunning coffee-table style book full of photographs, diagrams, and fascinating facts. Covers famous trains, engineering innovations, and global railway history — perfect for older children and even adults who are passionate about trains.
Sticker Books
For young children who love hands-on fun, sticker books are a fantastic way to combine play and learning.
- Trains (First Sticker Book) by Sam Taplin, illustrated by Annalisa Sanmartino (Usborne)
A charming sticker book packed with colourful scenes and lots of trains to spot and decorate. With over 100 stickers, it’s perfect for little hands and a lovely way to encourage creativity while learning about different kinds of trains. - Train Ultimate Sticker Book by DK
Filled with more than 60 reusable stickers, this fun and educational book introduces children to all sorts of trains — from steam engines to high-speed trains. Great for young train lovers who enjoy hands-on activities and learning at the same time.
Looking for more themed books? Check out:
Ballet Books for Children
Pony Books for Children
Dragon Books for Children