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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Learn
Do you remember how you felt when you learned how to ride a bike?
Or maybe the first time you tied your shoes on your own?
Perhaps you felt a sense of freedom or accomplishment. These feelings were probably preceded by moments of frustration or fear as you fell or didn’t quite get the bunny ears (laces) to cooperate.
When was the last time you experienced that same learning curve? One that began with struggle and ended with a sense of pride or self-satisfaction.
Recently a student told me that she hadn’t done as well on a test as she hoped but that after talking to the professor she understood what she got wrong. The result was that she felt good about the test – because she learned.
Everyday presents us with opportunities to learn. Many of which can involve some level of difficulty.
When we learn something new, our brains do at least two things. It releases a little dopamine hit – helping us feel good. And our hippocampus actually grows a little by generating new neurons.
The benefits of effortful learning strengthens our memory, forges new connections and keeps our brains from shrinking – which can also stave off depression.
In our schools, learning can too often feel like an unexciting chore. Rote memorization, racing to get through material that will be on the test where the primary measurement is a grade not growth.
To use a metaphor I heard recently, learning should not be the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.
What lights your fire? Or your child’s?
When we share what we learn with others it has the potential to spark their interest as well. We literally could help make their brains grow or give them a quick dopamine boost.
Learn something new today. Light your fire and maybe even someone else’s.
This Week’s Recommendation: One of my favorite shows is Antiques Roadshow on PBS. People come in with various family heirlooms to learn from an expert about its origin, history and worth. I find it fascinating and I learn something new every time I put it on.
Share this with someone and ask them what they’ve learned recently.
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:
Learn
Do you remember how you felt when you learned how to ride a bike? Or maybe the first time you tied your shoes on your own? Perhaps you felt a sense of freedom or accomplishment. These feelings were probably preceded by moments of frustration or fear as you fell or didn’t quite get the bunny …
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.