Strange that this book has affected me in three different ways at different times of my life. First, when I was a child entranced by the wonderful words and illustrations while having the story read to me and millions of other children by the television legend "Captain Kangaroo" in the 1960s. Second, when I was a father introducing my own children to a classic story. And now, happening to stumble on the book and read it many years later, and realizing what an eerily accurate metaphor it is for today's world of downsizing, outsourcing, offshoring, and impending leaps forward in biotechnology, robotics, and other technoligies that will transform society. Will there be a happy ending resulting from these changes, as there was for Mike and Mary Ann?

We checked this book out from the library and my son had me read it almost every night that we had it. He loved the building excitement as Mike and Maryanne dug their cellar and things got going faster and faster with dirt flying everywhere (it seemed). He even came up with some interesting solutions to the problem presented in the book. Which also brings to mind that the book presents good practice for using problem solving skills.

As a girl, I read this book a bunch of times and found it very neat. My little one just absolutely loves this book and finds it so neat how Mary Ann and Mike can dig holes so very fast. He loves to watch them build things and work hard, but was really intrigued how Mary Ann could turn into a furnace. What a great, timeless classic to be enjoyed by kids everywhere. I came back and bought it for my child so you know, it's timeless.

This was one of my favorite illustrated books when I was a child. The color sketches make my own son gasp and talk like only a toddler can! Even at 2 1/2 he knows Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne are sad when all of the other steam shovels are "sold for scrap or left out in old quarry pits to rust." Parts of the story are sad and remind us that progress does have it's price. It ends on a wonderful note though. Mike and his beloved steam shovel continue to serve the community and hence the nation, just as they always have. A wonderful depiction of hard work, perserverance, and strong character. You know Mike was a good Irish lad!

A pricelss gem among childrens books. Buy this book for your child or grandchild, it will become one of their (and yours) favorites.

The steam-shovel is personified enough in the book, and at the age I was introduced to this book, I had a fuzzier concept of animate vs inanimate. The ending... living forever in a basement, immobile, was hellish. I cried in horror at the steam-shovel's fate. While I wouldn't recommend this book to any child, I would be especially cautious if the child has demonstrated any interest in construction machinary.