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
Paint
Last week, I walked into two classrooms at different universities where I will be teaching in the fall.
One had been given a fresh coat of paint over the summer. The other had not.
This may seem like a small detail but research shows a correlation between how well-maintained a classroom is and a whole host of student outcomes. These range from absenteeism to student achievement. Perhaps most significant is that students often see how well-maintained a classroom is as a reflection of their own worth and belonging.
If a classroom is well-cared for it can indicate to a student that they are cared for. And unfortunately, vice versa.
A coat of paint is not a panacea for solving disparities in education but is a start.
Other research indicates that simple gestures like teachers smiling at their students when they enter the classroom impact student performance. Appearances and first impressions matter. They are a small and simple signal to the student that they matter too.
Facilities management in education is a challenge.The logistics of painting a college can be daunting. The costs add up quickly on large campuses with multiple buildings and hundreds if not thousands of classrooms to maintain.
Yet the cost to paint one classroom is manageable. And smiles of course are free.
While I’m talking about a very specific example in two different classrooms, we can see these disparities in all kinds of spaces – including public parks, our streets, our storefronts, hospitals and on and on.
What is one to do when they see spaces that need to be better maintained? Of course we can report the issue to the responsible parties in hopes that they will address it. Undoubtedly they are aware and perhaps have intentions and plans to do so – if not the resources. But while we wait, there is something else we can do.
Pick up a brush.
In 2002, over 2500 volunteers – organized by Hands On DC – showed up to paint thirty public schools in Washington, DC.
In New York City, an organization called Publicolor has programs that organize both volunteers and students to paint their own schools each year.
So many of our problems seem impossible to tackle given their scale and the real or imagined red tape one needs to cut through before enacting change. But these examples and others show what is possible, when we self-organize and take the first steps to making the world a little brighter and more welcoming for others.
Recommendation of the Week: People around the world are mourning the loss of Dolly Parton. Her organization Imagination Library was started to address literacy which was very personal to her as her father could not read. The organization has donated over 300 million books to date. If you’re a fan of hers, perhaps consider making a donation in her memory here
Share this with someone who picks up a brush for others.
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:
Paint
Last week, I walked into two classrooms at different universities where I will be teaching in the fall. One had been given a fresh coat of paint over the summer. The other had not. This may seem like a small detail but research shows a correlation between how well-maintained a classroom is and a whole …
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.