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The Little Engine That Could offers up the enduring mantra, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” One of the primary functions of stories is to provide psychological tools to children in navigating the world. The Little Engine That Could is a great example of a story that in encouraging children to draw on their inner resources provides a fertile soil for cultivating courage, fortitude, confidence and enthusiasm. It also uses gender pronouns for the different trains in interesting ways. The little blue engine that agrees to help the toys get over the mountain is gendered female. Something to think about in a world of children’s literature that is still dominated by male protagonists! Enjoy