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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Newsletter
Earnest
What do Pope Leo XIV, the movie Sheep Detectives and a 15 year-old boy in Vermont who started Luke’s Military Museum in a trailer have in common?
Within the last week, all have been described as earnest.
There are several definitions of the word, but the meaning applied in each of these cases was “sincerity with seriousness or purpose.”
I hope seeing these seemingly unrelated examples is a signal that earnestness is becoming more in fashion as a trait we value.
In the not too distant past, being earnest was met with skepticism. People or their creative endeavors described as earnest were often dismissed as naive, self-serious, of idealistic. The jaded people doing the dismissing seemed to be channeling their own cynicism or discontentment.
Case in point: Years ago, in a review for one of my children’s books a critic described it as too earnest. (Yes there are critics of children’s books and apparently at least one thinks it’s possible to be too sincere.)
Often characters in popular culture who are earnest start out as caricatures. We begin by laughing AT Ted Lasso or Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler from Parks and Rec.) Until eventually, we see that their heartfelt attempts at making their worlds better are quite serious – even if their methods seem strange. We ultimately laugh WITH them and cheer for their success. We long to have a little more of what they have in our lives.
Previous generations seemed to have no shortage of characters – real and fictional – that stood out as exemplars of earnestness. From Mr. Rogers to Mary Tyler Moore to practically every character Jimmy Stewart ever played.
It’s worth noting that earnestness in music seems to stand the test of time. From Joni Mitchell to Bruce Springsteen to Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, we laud their commitment to write with sincerity and purpose.
In other fields, earnestness is more difficult to find. Earnest politicians and CEOs seem to be in short supply.
Oscar Wilde’s play, The Importance of Being Earnest, is social commentary of the value of honesty and sincerity in a society that too often valued superficiality. The two main male characters pretend their name is “Ernest” in order to impress women as it was perceived to be of higher moral integrity.
Now we don’t even seem to pretend to be earnest – forgoing the quality all together. It’s worth noting the usage of the word peaked in the periods between 1880-1930 (around when the play was written) and has been less and less common ever since.
Perhaps seeing these three examples within a week is a sign that we are once again recognizing the importance of being earnest. Or maybe it’s just confirmation bias on my part as I’ve been thinking about the word a lot lately.
Either way, I’m going to resist my cynical tendencies to dismiss, scoff, question or laugh at the earnestness around me and instead seek it out – because I usually find it both inspiring and hopeful – if I only give it a chance.
Recommendation: I recently saw the movie, A Single Friend. While I didn’t think of it at the time, all three characters which span different storylines over a hundred years could be described as earnest. It is a meditative and beautiful film that explores nature, science and our need for connection.
Consider sharing this with someone whose earnestness you appreciate but perhaps have never acknowledged.
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:
Earnest
What do Pope Leo XIV, the movie Sheep Detectives and a 15 year-old boy in Vermont who started Luke’s Military Museum in a trailer have in common? Within the last week, all have been described as earnest. There are several definitions of the word, but the meaning applied in each of these cases was “sincerity …
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.