Attention parents! Are you looking for a way to spice up those late-night moments with your little ones? Perhaps you’re seeking a break from your child’s endless fascination with Thomas the Tank Engine? Well, Stephen King, the master of horror, has just the thing for you: his latest children’s book, Charlie the Choo Choo.
Written under the alias of Beryl Evans, Charlie the Choo Choo tells the story of a rather “gruff” engine named Charlie, who boasts a manic grin and a pair of eerily lifeless eyes. Charlie’s best buddy is his conductor, Engineer Bob. When Bob is informed by his boss, Mr. Briggs, that Charlie is being retired to make way for a shiny new Burlington Zephyr diesel, things take a dark turn. As Charlie rusts away in the train yard, he reflects on his lost life and impending demise—perfect bedtime material for your kids! Picture this: “Remember, one day we all grow old, become forgotten, and meet our end. Sleep tight!”
While Amazon suggests the book is suitable for kids aged 4-8, we might have to disagree.
This book was created as part of a promotional campaign for the movie adaptation of The Dark Tower series, set for release in February. The film stars Idris Elba, adding a bit of star power for those considering a trip to the theater. In the third book of the Dark Tower series, The Waste Lands, a young character named Jake discovers Charlie the Choo Choo displayed in a bookstore. As he gazes at the cover, he can’t shake the feeling that Charlie’s smile is deceptive: “You look happy, but I think that’s just the mask you wear, he thought. I don’t think you’re happy at all. And I don’t think Charlie’s your real name, either.”
Yikes! Just the kind of unsettling material that could bring out a few anxious tears.
Summary of the Book
To summarize, King has crafted an actual children’s book inspired by a fictional one within his own story, where the child reading it becomes suspicious of the train’s intentions. While the official release is set for November 22nd and is marketed as “a story about friendship, loyalty, and hard work,” it’s hard to ignore the sinister undertones of a train whose favorite tune is:
“Don’t ask me silly questions, I won’t play silly games,
I’m just a simple choo-choo train, and I’ll always be the same,
I only want to race along, beneath a bright blue sky,
and be a happy choo-choo train, until the day I die.”
But wait—after being left in the yard, Charlie changes those last lines to a more somber tone:
“Now that I can’t race along, beneath a bright blue sky,
I guess that I’ll just sit right here, until I finally die.”
Goodness gracious, Charlie! With lines like these, this book may be best suited for fearless kids and adults who appreciate King’s dark humor. Although we adore Stephen King, we’re not sure we can handle having that unsettling cover around. Between Charlie’s menacing expression and the children in the caboose who look like they’re either laughing or screaming in terror, we may just be too faint-hearted for this one. Nonetheless, it could make for an intriguing collector’s item for fans of the upcoming Dark Tower movie.
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In summary, Stephen King’s Charlie the Choo Choo presents a unique blend of whimsy and creepiness, making it a curious choice for young readers and adults alike, especially those awaiting the Dark Tower film.