Faith is used to riding the train back from Grandma’s house. She always sees the same commuters, hears the same musicians, walks through the same stations. But when Faith one day shares her sandwich with a hungry friend, the “same old” becomes a little bit more wondrous. Written by Kesi Augustine and illustrated by Mokshini, Faith Takes the Train turns a sandwich and a subway into an unpretentious and sweet story of kindness and compassion.
Faith Takes the Train is narrated in first person, which lets us into Faith’s inner thoughts as she undergoes her journey, making for a story that is reflective, observant and even a little silly in turns. Kesi Augustine makes fruitful use of alliteration, keeping Faith’s voice childlike while also making for an easy read-aloud. One of this picture book’s best aspects is how it manages to be sweet and earnest without being overly sentimental or heavy-handed. Faith Takes the Train is full of a child’s open-hearted innocence and joy at sharing and helping others. Adults and older readers will appreciate the deeper layers to the narrative addressing societal issues such as homelessness and charity, which underscore a broader, simpler lesson of being kind to those around us.
Mokshini’s art is bold and colorful, illustrating not only Faith’s journey but also life in a fascinating New York community. Crowded and bustling, every image tells countless stories. Mokshini fills each page with personality and detail (don’t miss the mouse with a suitcase), and the result is a world that feels exciting and alive, seen from up close. There’s a timeless, distinctly New York feel to the black outlines of Mokshini’s characters that is particularly visually appealing.
Despite all the hustle and bustle it portrays, Faith Takes the Train retains a sense of calm and safety, which makes for an excellent bedtime story. Faith Takes the Train gently reminds us that sometimes kindness is as simple as a sandwich, uplifting even those among us who are most prone to getting bogged down by the woes and complexity of the world.
