C TRAIN

Rusu’s picture book tells the story of a New York City subway train that finds a new home thanks to an old friend.

The city is bustling with activity, playing out on miles of sidewalks. Underneath these, C Train transports diverse people from all walks of life to work, school, or their homes. Her favorite passenger is Maya, a Latinx girl with a star barrette. Maya loves the ocean and regales C Train with stories of sea life. The subway loves Maya’s colorful art and wonders, “Where do sea creatures sleep?” As Maya grows up and pursues her initially unspecified dream career, C Train grows older and less reliable. One day, she’s surprised to see Maya in her railyard; her friend’s return heralds a new home for C Train. This first installment in a STEAM-based series, created by Allen and written by Rusu, introduces youngsters to the concept of artificial reefs: train cars that are lowered to the ocean floor to provide homes for sea life. Rusu’s engaging story thoughtfully explains C Train’s transformation and effectively utilizes repetition (“Magical, messy, and marvelous”) to make a connection between city and ocean life. Atuesta’s bold and bright painterly illustrations capture the vitality of New York and the sea. A note at the end recounts the story’s nonfictional inspiration.

An entertaining and educational look at artificial reef creation.