Duluth artist Brian Barber has illustrated a new book for kids, "Holy Smokestacks! Here Comes a Steam Engine!" The book is based on "The Choo Choo Bob Show," a children's television show which appears locally on KBJR, Channel 6, at 10:30 Sunday mornings.
Barber created illustrated versions of the live-action TV characters for the book. The main character, Choo Choo Bob, is a train enthusiast who lives in the town of Bobville with his friends Engineer Emily, Engineer Paul, Richard W. Kornbelt, Cee Cee the ticket agent, Conductor Dave, and Charlie Rat. The book and the TV show explain how different kinds of trains work. The book was written by Brandon Terrell, and published by Beaver's Pond Press.
Both the book and the TV show are side projects for Bob Medcraft, the owner of Choo Choo Bob's Train Store in St. Paul. The store has been open since 2005, and has steadily built a devoted following of kids and adults.
Images from the book and ordering information are available at brianbarber.com or at the Choo Choo Bob Train Store in St. Paul.
