Elm Grove Publishing

The first in our "Children's Books for Grandparents" series, specially designed and formatted for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even big brothers and sisters, to read while their youngster follows the beautiful, bright coloured illustrations.

 

Chuff Chuff the engine is as old and outdated as his engineer Mike, but when an engine is needed for a daring rescue mission and not one of the modern diesels is willing to risk its shiny new paint, brave Chuff Chuff volunteers... 

 

This is the kind of book we all loved as children. Now, thanks to the classic style of J.T. Chapin and delightful illustrations by Clyde Peterson (CP Houston) we can share it with our children and grandchildren.

 

The story behind the story is every bit as magical as Chuff Chuff himself. In the words of the author...

 

"On March 29, 1968 Laura Katherine Chapin, my daughter, turned three years old. I was a young writer not long out of college, working the trade as a hired hand and short on cash.

 

So, for her birthday I wrote for her a book. The illustrations were done by a young artist, Clyde Peterson, who had joined the Houston Chronicle as their editorial cartoonist. He did that for 41 years, under the pen name CP Houston. I met Clyde through a friend and former co-worker at Houston Lighting & Power Co. who left also for the Chronicle. She gave Clyde a copy of the manuscript, and he did the rest. His illustrations are priceless.

 

The book was never sold. Never published. I put the manuscript away and let it lie still. For 47 years."

 

Never give up on tomorrow. You never know when it will arrive.