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Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Written by Virginia Lee Burton
Published: 1939
From the Publisher:
Mike and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne, dig deep canals for boats to travel through, cut mountain passes for trains, and hollow out cellars for city skyscrapers -- the very symbol of industrial America. But with progress come new machines, and soon the inseparable duo are out of work. Mike believes that Mary Anne can dig as much in a day as one hundred men can dig in a week, and the two have one last chance to prove it and save Mary Anne from the scrap heap. What happens next in the small town of Popperville is a testament to their friendship, and to old-fashioned hard work and ingenuity.
Other Books by the Author
Katy and the Big Snow, Choo-Choo, Maybelle the Cable Car
Read
 Explain that this is a story about a man named Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne. The working pair have been replaced by quicker and stronger machines in the city. They travel to a small town and guarantee that they can finish a big job in one day or go without pay. All goes well until Mike forgets one important detail about Mary Anne. Read on to see how they solve a big problem.
Do
 What kinds of machines do you see? Look for buildings being built or roads being repaired. What’s different about the machines being used now and those in the
story? Also, look around your house! Wheelbarrows, cars, and refrigerators are all machines. See how many you can find!
Machines are created to make things easier. What kind of a machine would you invent? See what you can build with scissors, glue, tape, paper, string, and a plastic cup.
View
 When you see this symbol, you can watch an online video. You will need RealPlayer to view video.
Families, Feelings, and Friendship Series
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
by Virginia Lee Burton
Big diesel machines threaten Mike Mulligan and his little old steam shovel, Mary Anne, out of business until Mike agrees to tackle a big job. (11:16 min.) >> View Video
Song and Music Series
The Erie Canal Written and illustrated by Peter Spier
All that happens along fifteen miles of the Erie Canal is chronicled in this cheery and informative song about one of the engineering marvels of the world. (7:03 min.) >> View Video
Bob the Builder
All episodes deal with machines and construction.
Caillou
Machines! Brrrrrmmm! (Show 433)
Caillou learns to deal with a change in plans, when Daddy has to use the car and Mommy and Caillou have to take the subway. Caillou learns that a change in plans can be fun, checking out the map, getting tickets and listening to the musicians!
Curious George
Doctor Monkey/Curious George the Architect (Show 12)
George a discovers that a stethoscope is a pretty handy thing to have around when you're trying to solve a puzzle involving a mysterious sound. / George learns how bulldozers, cement mixers, and jackhammers work, and why it's not a good idea to let a monkey operate them. Educational Objectives: To demonstrate how sounds can provide clues about what's happening inside a body; to illustrate how instruments can extend the senses (as a stethoscope extends the power of hearing). / To demonstrate that tools help to get things done; to illustrate the fact that tools and machines can be helpful or harmful. Related Activity: Wheel Discoveries
Machine/Construction Websites
Construction Crafts
This site from DLTK has a number of construction related ideas, activities, and coloring sheets for young children.
Simple Machines
Gears, pulleys, levers, and planes. Check out these online activities designed to introduce students to simple and compound machines.
Other Book Titles
C Is for Construction: Big Trucks and Diggers from A to Z by Caterpillar (2003)
Photographs accompany facts in this earthmoving ABC book.
Terrific Trains by T. Mitton (2003)
This rhyming book identifies trains as they leave the station.
Alphabeep! A Zipping, Zooming ABC by Edward Miller and Debora Pearson (2003)
This alphabet looks at vehicles from ambulances to Zambonis.
Dig a Tunnel by Ryan Ann Hunter; Illustrated by Edward Miller (2004)
This book looks at the uses and construction of tunnels from ant tunnels to large man-made tunnels.
Freight Train by Donald Crews (1982)
Learn about all the cars of a train in this brightly illustrated book.
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