Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

Written by Virginia Lee Burton

Narrated by Rod Ross

A modern classic that no child should miss.

Mike and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne, dig deep canals for boats to travel through, cut mountain passes for trains, and hollow out cellars for city skyscrapers.But with progress come new machines, and soon the inseparable duo are out of work. Mike believes that Mary Anne can dig as much in a day as one hundred men can dig in a week, and the two have one last chance to prove it and save Mary Anne from the scrap heap.What happens next in the small town of Popperville is a testament to their friendship and to old-fashioned hard work and ingenuity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
• Release date: Sep 1, 2004
• ISBN: 9780545258333

Virginia Lee Burton

Virginia Lee Burton (1909-1968) was the talented author and illustrator of some of the most enduring books ever written for children. The winner of the 1942 Caldecott Medal for THE LITTLE HOUSE, Burton's books include heroes and happy endings, lively illustrations, and a dash of nostalgia. She lived with her two sons, Aristides and Michael, and her husband George Demetrios, the sculptor, in a section of Gloucester, Massachusetts, called Folly Cove. Here she taught a class in design and from it emerged the Folly Cove designers, a group of internationally known professional artisans. She is the author of many classic children's picture books, including MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL and KATY AND THE BIG SNOW.

Reviews for Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

[word.owl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So... Mike Mulligan's steam shovel Mary Anne has become obsolete because of all of the new-fangled shovels ("They're takin' our jobs!!" :B)

They get one last job digging the cellar of the new town hall in a little town.

They forget to leave a way out, so the citizens suggest that Mary Anne become the furnace for the new building and Mike can remain as the janitor, to which they readily agree.

Lily loves this book. She calls it "shovel."

Hubby and I think parts of it veer into the uncanny. Does Mike ever leave the town hall? Does Mary Anne *enjoy* being a sentient pipe-being symbiotically sharing her life with the new building? Is Mike's soul bound to the town hall, such that when he dies his spirit will still be there, unable to get out until someone builds a ramp into the dilapidated pit where the long-collapsed building used to be?

Sadly, we don't have the answers.

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Deserves to be a classic. I loved it as a child, and loved reading it to my children. The race against time, and the satisfying twist at the end, make it a winner even now.

[villemezbrown · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What an odd story about obsolescence and repurposing! Riffing off the legend of John Henry, a steam shovel operator wagers that he can completely dig a building foundation in a day with his outdated equipment or he won't get paid. Somehow the whole town gets caught up in this race against time and circle the growing hole to watch.

The cadence of the story is weird, but lends itself to some equally weird experimentation when reading it aloud. Today I tried reading the whole thing as a boxing announcer. The anthropomorphized face on the steam shovel seems out of place and unnecessary, but sure, why not.

For me, the best part is the asterisk near the end of the story where the author acknowledges the little boy next door who came up with an ending when she literally wrote herself into a corner. How candid and considerate.

[larisaawhite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story of a steam shovel and its loving owner/operator, and the great works that they do, before steam shovels are made irrelevant by the invention of newer technologies. Great story about how the pair adapt to their new circumstances. Fantastic illustrations. A wonderful read-aloud book.

[gayward · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

To prove his steam shovel, Mary Anne, is as good as new diesel or electric shovels, Mike offers to dig the basement of the Popperville town hall. They did an amazing job, but forgot to allow a way out so Mary-
Anne became the heater. This is an engaging read with a clear problem and resolution. It is appropriate for a Consolidation Reader, probably 2nd or third grade.

[sheila1957 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic from before I was born. Mike and Mary Ann build roads and buildings. Now they are obsolete but Mike has a way of keeping Mary Ann from the scrap heap.

I remember watching Captain Kangaroo as he read this book. It was fun then. It is fun now. My brother loved Mary Ann and Mike.

[michael_rose-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Damn yous, technological advancements! Your fancy electric and gasoline steam shovels! Ah, but our old friend makes one feel right at home in the end, eh?

[bryndahlquis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mike Mulligan and Mary Anne, the bestest diggers in all the land.

[yannie92 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think students who are interested in digging, constructing and building will be more suitable but of course, those who aren't interested in that type of story can still learn many things. Such as numbers, problem solving, cooperation, and thinking positively--no matter what happens.

[empress8411 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I remember this book from childhood and was VERY excited to find a pristine copy at a local thrift store. It's a classic from ages ago, but even modern kids will enjoy Mike and his steam shovel!

[ckharrigan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favorite book as a child - I'm looking forward to one day reading this to my own kids!

[50minutemermaid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I attribute my love for the traditional and old-fashioned to this book. This is also the book that made me realize I was going to have to avoid deconstructing my childhood reading selections if I wanted to remain sane. Please, no one ask me about the implications of Irish-American labor force in rural and suburban America in this sweet little book.

[humouress · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was tonight's bed-time story chosen by my youngest, who is four years old. We were given this book (along with others, none of which I had come across before, but which their kids had grown up with) by friends of ours now based outside Chicago, when I was expecting my eldest. It was a great present, and we still have all the books, albeit a bit battered.

Mike Mulligan has a steam shovel whom he loves, and has named Mary Ann. Together they have dug canals, levelled hills for highways and dug basements for skyscrapers across the country. Unfortunately, steam shovels are being superseded by electric and diesel shovels, so Mike and Mary Ann can't find work. Mike has always boasted that Mary Ann could dig as much in a day as a hundred men could dig in a week ... but he's never been quite sure. He finds one last opportunity for Mary Ann and him to work, and gets the chance to test his boast.

This is a charming tale for young children, with some suspense as Mike and Mary Ann race the sun to finish their job, and we see if Mike can get out of the hole he's dug for himself. I like it for a bedtime story as there's a lot of repetition, which forms a soothing rhythm, but the illustrations are also good as discussion points and a glimpse into a bygone era. And I like the ending and the solution to the problem, as well as the way Henry B. Swap turns out.

Judging it (necessarily) as a children's book: 4.5 stars.

[babshe1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel, by Virginia Lee Burton This is a book I was read as a child, but not often. I didn't remember this until I was about half way through the book and I saw a picture I thought I knew. I spoke with my mom and my dad and grandparents till I found out my grandfather used to read this to me when I was younger. The pictures in this book are amazing, I cannot get enough of the drawings. The pictures in this book are beautiful works of art and explain the story well allowing for a great connection between text and image. While I really like the images I'd have to say the plot of the story is the best part. Showing greatness in people and their willingness to work hard for a good living. Mike and his steam shovel are out of date and all the other steam shovels are being thrown away and replaced by gas powered or electric. Not Mike he knows his steam shovel is faster than all of the others. His devotion to his machine is a great character trait for children today. The big picture of this story is honesty and working hard for a living. I personally love this story and think all kids should read this.

[dylrmstd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel are a hard working pair. There work ethic is put to the test when a small town asks them to perform a task that seems impossible. I liked this book because it was a simple interesting read and I would use it in the classroom because it shows that hard work and perseverance can take you a long way. I think this book would be suitable for first and second grade children.

[alycias_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my all-time favorites as a kid.

[a9stone5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This story reminds readers to believe in their dreams and never give up on them. It is an engaging story that is relatable to many readers who dream of doing great things. This would be recommended for preschoolers and older.

[malydon · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Burton, Virginia Lee. Mike mulligan and his steam shovel. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1939 (renewed 1967).

Characters: Mike Mulligan, Mary Anne (the steam shovel), and the residents of Popperville.

Setting: 1930-1940’s in rural and small town areas

Theme: repurposing old ways into new ways, friendship, belonging

Genre: children’s picture book, fiction

Golden quote (optional): “No steam shovels wanted.”

Summary: A steam shovel operator, Mike Mulligan, finds his machine (Mary Anne) are approaching a time where their services will no longer be need. As technology advances, Mike tries to find work for the both of them. They have spent most of the past digging canals, cutting through mountains, lowering hills, and straitening curves. Now, Mike searches for work and comes upon a town (Popperville) that needs a cellar dug. Mike claims he and Mary Anne can do it in a day instead of men working for a week. When the cellar is completed, Mike and Mary Anne are stuck in the cellar. Mary Anne becomes the new building’s boiler (for heat) and Mike becomes the janitor.

Audience: small children – preschool through second grade

Curriculum ties: visual arts, science, social studies

Awards (optional): none

Personal response: The bright and colorful illustrations in this book are so well done it doesn’t need words. Before the story starts, a wonderful graphic is at the beginning of the book identifying parts of the steam shovel with examples shown as to how the steam shovel works. The story is simple and sweet and brings resolution to a situation everyone faces, “how do things and people continue to be useful?” As the story progresses, the steam shovel and her operator repurpose their skills to continue to be of service to the community. Who doesn’t like a happy ending?!?!

[je2nif4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Characters: Mike Mulligan and Mary Ann
Setting: Various city jobs for the steam shovel, Mary Ann, until they ended up in Popperville.
Theme: Never give up, the power of believing in yourself.
Genre: Family and young children
Audience: young children
Curriculum: Unknown
Summary: Mary Ann the steam engine makes a good run with work but soon she is pushed out of the job market by other newly functioning engines. So they take on a new challenge in Popperville.
Personal Response: Cute book that discusses the challenge of when someone looses purpose and must overcome challenge to find new purpose.

[ldobson_4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This classic tale of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, is an encouraging story about believing in yourself and accomplishing what you set your mind to do. Even though the world around him is changing with the invention of bigger, better shovels, Mike sets out to prove that Mary Anne is just as good as the rest. This story is wonderful for all ages but specifically great for ages 4-8.

[rachelpeterson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a heartwarming tale about Mike and his Steam Shovel, technology advances and mike has no use for his beloved steam shovel mary ann but they find a way to keep her around! I would read this to any grade K+, its great for learning about friendship!

[daniexj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If I could give this more than five stars, I would. It is a heartwarming and amazing story on multiple levels. Shows friendship, and caring, and it even shows what it is to be a community, which, these days, can be hard to find.

[francescadefreitas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Liam loves this! The story of Mike and his beloved steam shovel is a little long for him at one and a half, and the story of Mary Ann being ousted by more modern machines is over his head, but he took to Mike right away, and has been asking for it a lot.

[stgayde · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a heartwarming tale about the friendship and bond between a man and his steam shovel. As time moves on and technology improves, there is little place for Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel. They fight to maintain their place and prove that they are still just as good. In an attempt to do so, Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel dig a basement for a building so quickly that they fail to leave a ramp to exit out of. While they do prove that they in fact can dig a basement in less than a day, the steam shovel is now trapped inside with no way to get out. Mike Mulligan cannot bear to leave his friend behind. Thus, the steam shovel is transformed into the belly for the building's furnace and Mike Mulligan remains with him as the furnace inspector.

[aridy_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice tale about friendship, between a man and his steam shovel. Faced with the inevitable technological progress that is making his steam shovel Mary Ann obsolete, these two and a very smart little boy figure out a way to keep Mary Ann useful and for Mike to still have a job with his friend.

[hankiii · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A children's book that still kicks major ass well into adulthood!

[ieliasson_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel is truly an archetypal picture book: the colorful illustrations are drawn in a child appealing style, and the text and illustrations mingle visuals and prose fluently. The two main characters are devoted friends who demonstrate worthy virtues such as loyalty, perseverance, and flexibility. The story ends and all is good with the world and the characters--a classic story that children will love for decades to come.

[savannah5julian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of a steam shovel that was no longer needed because the times were changing and bigger and better equipment was being made. Mary Anne and Mike Mulligan find them selves out of work until the people of a small town challenge them to dig the cellar of their new town hall in one day. In the effort to meet the challenge Mike and his steam shovel forget to dig a ramp out. Luckily a citizens suggestion that Mary Anne could be the new furnace and Mike could be the building janitor.

[awiltenburg_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This story is about a pair of front loaders that dug so well but didnt leave a way out. A passerby noticed how well they had dug ad tried to repurpose them. Grades 2-3.

[seoulful · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another childhood classic originally published in 1939 and now being reprinted. Here children are taught that hard work and persistence will win the day. We also learn that with the steam shovels being replaced by gasoline powered shovels that perhaps the tried and true is not completely obsolete despite the new inventions. An exciting story for children as Mike and his steam shovel try to dig a cellar in one day and the whole town becomes involved in cheering them on.