Pop is a little traction engine with a big problem.After his safety valve breaks, Pop is left alone in a cold, dusty barn, dreaming of the days when he could puff and hiss in the sunshine. When Mr. Seward agrees to help, Pop thinks his troubles are over-but Mr. Seward is a very busy man. Can Victoria find a way to get her new friend the help he needs so Pop can join the other engines in the workshop?Why Parents and Grandparents Love Victoria's Torton Tales:
- Timeless Values: Each story focuses on friendship, teamwork, and doing one's best.
- Steaming into History: Introducing children (ages 3-9) to Britain's industrial heritage through a "pastoral" lens, moving the focus from the railway to the fascinating world of road-going steam engines.
- Interactive Learning: Every book includes an educational section explaining how traction engines work, sparking curiosity about engineering and the world before modern technology.
- Family Reading: Published in a large format with vibrant, full-page illustrations, these books are designed for shared reading across generations.
The Real-Life Victoria
Young readers will be thrilled to learn that Victoria is a real steam engine! Built in 1886 and originally owned by the real Mr. Seward in Hampshire, she has been lovingly preserved by author Wendy Wakelin's family since 2002. Today, Victoria still appears at steam events across the UK, allowing fans to step out of the book and meet the "real" star of the story.
