When Peter Cooper invented the steam locomotive, which he named Tom Thumb, he believed this machine could replace the function of the horse in the rail system and make lives better for people. On the other hand, Lucius Stockton, the owner of a horse ranch, thought that his best horse, Mitzie, could outrun the popular and newly invented steam locomotive, and a race was suggested. Who would emerge as the winner? Find out in this suspense-filled children's book, Not So Fast, Tom Thumb, beautifully written by Judith Tabler with illustrations by Agnes Antonello. This story is based on events around 1830. It tells the story of faith, preparation, and determination. It also shows attempts to cover up the truth to serve one’s selfish interests.

One of the things I admired about Not So Fast, Tom Thumb is its beautiful illustrations. The illustrations are very attractive and colorful, from the cover page to the inside pictures. Another thing I loved was the language. For a children’s book, the language is very simple, and certain words can serve as a source of vocabulary development for children. Not So Fast, Tom Thumb also contains a special provision for certain words and sentences traced to their sources and explained for better understanding. There is a bibliography included in the book. I do not doubt that Not So Fast, Tom Thumb would greatly help children between the ages of 6 and 12, as several lessons could be learned from it, and improvements could be made to spelling and reading skills. This is a good book by Judith Tabler.

Not So Fast, Tom Thumb: The Story of the Horse Who Raced an American Steam Locomotive is a nonfiction tale tailored to younger audiences. It was written by Judith Tabler and illustrated by Agnes Antonello. In the early 1800s, transportation carriages, which we know as trains today, were pulled by horses. Some journeys would take many stops (and involve many horse changeovers). The carriage was pulled on rails to make the journey smooth for the passengers while also attempting to make the journey faster and easier on the horse pulling the carriage. Lucius Stockton owned the railway at that time. In 1830, Peter Cooper made a steam engine rumored to go faster than a horse-drawn rail carriage. When people heard this, they laughed at the idea that anything could outpace a horse. In a challenge of machine versus beast, those who laughed were stunned by the results.

I enjoyed reading Judith Tabler's intriguing piece of history, as it was shared in Not So Fast, Tom Thumb. As an Indigenous Australian who now lives in Europe, I thought my history knowledge was quite good, yet I am still smiling at this amazing story of how horse-drawn railways turned into the transportation we know today. The illustrations brought the story to life and were depicted well, and I was excited as I learned more with the turn of each page. While not much is commonly known about early times in America (speaking personally, as a foreigner to such a wonderful nation), I loved feeling like I was inside the story, living a piece of history. I feel that youngsters and older age groups will enjoy Not So Fast, Tom Thumb as much as I did, and I feel it belongs in all libraries around the globe.