Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel
Illustrated by Burton, Virginia Lee
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton tells the story of Mike and his steam shovel, Mary Anne. Mike and Mary Anne dig all kinds of things from canals and roads, to basements for skyscrapers. When gasoline, electric, and Diesel steam shovels come along, no one wants to use a steam shovel anymore. Mike and Mary Anne find themselves out of work. When Mike learns that the small town of Popperville needs a new town hall, Mike decides to take Mary Anne and go dig the cellar of the new building for the town. When they get to Popperville, Mike and Mary Anne are in for the biggest challenge of their lives! In the end, friendship and hard work prevail in this heart-warming picture book.
- Publication Date
- 1939
Sources & edition guidance
Book descriptions
Book descriptions are drawn from a variety of publisher, jacket, bookseller, library, and bibliographic sources, and may be edited for clarity.
Illustrators
We have provided at least one recommended illustrator for each applicable book, though other excellent options may exist.
Content guidance
- Reading level
- Early Elementary
- Content warning
- None
Book tags
- Genre
- Fiction
- Recommended By
- Five in a RowMemoria PressSonlight
- Format
- Picture Book
- Culture
- United States
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