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:
What is Your American Dream Score
Newsletter
Butt
A little girl with large yellow rain boots stood inside our local pizza shop. She could not have been older than four. She began to awkwardly jump up and down, bending her knees and tucking her yellow boots behind her. Her father looked on, beleaguered by the day, confused by his daughter. After several jumps, he finally asked her, “What are you doing?” Her reply made me chuckle out loud.
“I’m trying to kick my own butt.”
As amusing as her attempts were, she was unsuccessful.
And yet, I feel like I’m kicking my own ass on a regular basis.
The weekend prior I was staying up late watching the Adam Sandler movie Big Daddy. It is also a story about a father figure and a four year old child. I found myself really enjoying the movie – recalling a simpler time in my life when I watched it the first time – admiring the care-free attitude and lifestyle of Sandler’s character. His approach to parenting was refreshingly chill – albeit occasionally crossing the line to inappropriate.
At the same time, I also found myself criticizing my choice to stay up late and watch a movie I had seen several times before. Believing it would cause me to sleep in, “waste the next day away,” and prevent me from doing the many things I “needed” to get done.
Yet, weekends are designed for us to rest and recover from what is often a long and stressful work week, not to catch up on other work that we didn’t get done professionally or work around the house that is waiting for us.
In a productivity driven culture, we too often measure our days by how much we get done, instead of not measuring them at all.
The idea of being hard on ourselves for not measuring up on the weekends is real and a little ridiculous. It is often simply a continuation of how we feel throughout the week.
I called an old roommate to reminisce about our halcyon days, when we woke up on Saturdays without the aid of an alarm or a list awaiting us. The toughest decision we would make all day was deciding where we wanted to go grab breakfast (or lunch depending on when we got up). We came back, maybe watched some football on TV or went to a movie. Even taking an afternoon nap if we felt like it. We had no phones to check, no laptops to get a little extra work in, nowhere we needed to go. Maybe we would do a little laundry or light reading. We essentially did whatever we felt like in the moment.
Of course, with age and family comes greater responsibility. But this doesn’t mean we need to carry it around with us every waking moment. We can put it down. It will be waiting for us when it’s time to pick it up again and that’s ok.
I hope that little girl is never able to kick her own butt. Although, it would be awesome if she always finds the time to try something silly without a care the world
This Week’s Recommendation: In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day and this post, listen to “Sweet Things” by Van Morrison from his classic album, Astral Weeks. The album itself is an attempt to navigate the transition from the simplicity of our youth and the complexities of adult life and this song is particularly on point.
Share this with someone who could use a nudge to stop kicking their own butt.
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:
Butt
A little girl with large yellow rain boots stood inside our local pizza shop. She could not have been older than four. She began to awkwardly jump up and down, bending her knees and tucking her yellow boots behind her. Her father looked on, beleaguered by the day, confused by his daughter. After several jumps, …
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.