Faith Takes the Train by Keri Augustine, illustrated by Mokshini; Harper, 2025.

An empowering picture book celebrating outreach, possibilities, and imagination, Faith Takes the Train centers on a brief but pivotal experience in an urban setting. It’s bursting with positivity, warmth, and agency from its clear message of kindness and community to its charming illustrations created in acrylic paint and watercolor.

Why this book? Why will it matter to kids?

Faith Takes the Train centers on a common urban experience; for those children who live in cities, it will offer insight and a perspective that may be fresh and definitely will be empowering and affirming. For those who are not city-dwellers or not used to taking public transportation, this picture book will expand background knowledge, and perhaps horizons. For all young readers and listeners, Faith Takes the Train will pose possibilities and achievable opportunities for gestures of warmth and goodness we can extend in our corners of the world. The Author’s Note offers a reflection and resources for helping others.

Why read aloud?

We gather to share a book. We settle into a safe space as we interact with the book. We talk and reflect, exchanging thoughts, exploring concepts, building background knowledge—and community. When read-aloud sessions are routine, children become comfortable voicing their perspectives. They grow in active listening skills and learn to respect the thoughts, feelings, experiences, and beliefs of others. When we (educators, parents, and caregivers) select age-appropriate, length-appropriate stories based on needs and abilities, we offer children the opportunity to see themselves, see others, find validation, and contemplate solutions to conflicts and challenges that they may not have considered.

Read-aloud sessions are inclusive: there is no reading skills or level barrier, and learning obstacles are mitigated by preparation prior to reading the book aloud. In a read-aloud session there is immersion as well as the comfort of distance from the challenges the characters encounter.

Reading aloud engages listeners, offering a positive, secure, stress-free “learning without struggle” experience grounded in a book, the value of which cannot be overestimated.

“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.” ~  James Baldwin

Levels and Layers of Learning

Grade level: K—2

Social-Emotional Learning Themes

Acceptance, connection, courage, creativity, curiosity, dedication, diligence, effort,  empowerment, encouragement, fortitude, friendship, generosity of spirit, gratitude, hope, inspiration, integrity, kindness, perseverance, persistence, perspective, relationship skills, resilience, resourcefulness, respect, responsibility, responsible decision-making, self-assurance, self-awareness, self-management, self-reliance, social awareness, tenacity, understanding

Content Area Connections: Social-Emotional Learning, Community

Using This Book in the Classroom

Hit the Ground Running Ready Resources for Educators, Homeschoolers, and Parents

How to pronounce Kesi’s name: CAY-see   AW-gus-teen

How to pronounce Mokshini’s name: MOAK-shee-nee

Learn more about Kesi on her website.

Write Away! Ideas to prompt writing

“[There is} a deep connection between how students read, write, and communicate, and how they develop socially and emotionally.”  ~  Justina Schlund, Director of Field Learning for CASEL

How would you describe Faith? What do you like about her? Would she make a good friend? Explain.

Do you know anyone who is like Faith? In what ways are they alike?

Throughout the story, Faith’s heart thump-thump-thumps. When does this happen? When does your heart thump-thump-thump?

How can you show care and kindness to another person?

What is your favorite illustration in the story? Why?

Writing prompt inspired by Kesi’s answer to an interview question (see below): If you could take a train ride anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?

See also writing opportunities suggested in Kesi’s educator guide below.

 Illustration © Mokshini

Poetry Break Related poetry to recite before or following the reading of this book

Poetry breaks fit perfectly into the framework of the school day. These brief moments can signal change, smooth or frame transitions—from beginning or ending the day to lining up for lunch; from zipping up backpacks and jackets to shifting from one subject to the next. Poetry breaks can reset mood or tone, providing a moment to pause, reflect, and breathe. Reading a poem aloud typically takes less than a minute, yet it can introduce or reinforce a concept, provide clarity, celebrate language, exemplify rhythm, enhance vocabulary, expand understanding, increase attention span, initiate reflection, spark imagination, or simply summon a giggle. And, poetry soothes and strengthens the spirit.

“Poetry builds resilience in kids and adults; it fosters Social and Emotional Learning. A well-crafted phrase or two in a poem can help us see an experience in an entirely new way.” ~  Elena Aguilar

Poetry Collections to Pair with Faith Takes the Train

• Dictionary For A Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini
• If I Could Choose A Best Day: Poems of Possibility selected by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Olivia Sua
• Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town by Paul B. Janeczko, illustrated by Hyewon Yum; see “The Train” by Charlotte Zolotow
• Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, illustrated by Theodore Taylor III

Recently Released Poetry Collection

• Dear Acorn (Love, Oak): Letter Poems to Friends by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Melissa Stewart; an endearing collection of letter poems between friends, from an acorn and oak to the sky and bubbles, to a child and their toes. What is it like to be little? What is it like to be big? Back matter explains how to write letter poems. Grades K-2.

Make poetry a part of every learning day! Check out Amy VanDerwater’s The Poem Farm, a recommended resource for educators chock-full of great ideas. Amy has been offering reflections and poetry prompts here for fifteen years! Click to read the Children’s Book Corner post featuring Amy’s poetry book, Write! Write! Write!.

And Then There’s This…
Enrichment activities, related books, online resources, craft projects, and ideas for further study

Kesi has created an educator’s guide for Fatih Takes a Train for Harper. She generously offers it here as it is not yet on the website.

Discussion Questions

Before You Read

• What is your favorite way to travel? Car, bus, or plane? Remember walking is a way to travel, too!

• If you could visit anyone, who would you see? What would you do together?

• Have you ever helped someone who was in need? What did you do? How did that make you feel?

While You Read 

• Describe Isaiah. What talents does he have? (page 10-11)
• How do the passengers respond to Isaiah when he asks for help? How do you think this makes Isaiah feel? 

• Look at the faces on pages 14-15. Find your favorite one. Describe that person. Where do you think they’re going?

• Families in need often have to leave their neighborhoods, especially if they lose their homes, or if they need to move someplace more affordable. It can be very hard to say goodbye. What do you think Isaiah’s family misses the most about living near Faith?

• Enjoy the scenes on pages 22-25. What does Faith imagine sharing with Isaiah and his son?

• Faith sees a friendly face on page 29. How does this help her on her journey?

After You Read

• “Faith” can mean having a strong belief in someone or something. Why do you think Faith has this name?

• Do you have a story behind your name? Share it. If not, make up your own story!

• What might Faith say if she saw Isaiah again?

Extension Activities

Mmm. Delicious! Food is a way to nourish our bodies. We also use food to celebrate. Discuss your favorite food to eat. Share a recipe. You may also draw a picture. What are your favorite memories related to this food?

The Same Old Train Ride. Take a walk around your neighborhood. Look out the window. What do you see? Find your favorite place. It can be beautiful, messy, colorful, or mysterious. Write a list of words describing this scene. Then, you can create a short story, or a rhyming poem about this scene. Make sure to use your list of descriptive words. Share your writing with a friend.

I Wondered Some More. Think of a friend or neighbor who you would like to show a little extra love to today. Write them a note. Draw them a picture. Or make a plan to call them with help from your parents. You can also think of a time when someone shared your love with you!

 Illustration © Mokshini

Book Collection Suggestions

Related Books to Consider

• heartbeat by Evan Turk
• How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham
• Lend a Hand by John Frank, illustrated by London Ladd
• Love by Matt De La Peña, illustrated by Loren Long
• my heart by Corinna Luyken
• Ten Rules of Being A Superhero by Deb Pilutti
• What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by April Harrison
• words and your heart by Kate Jane Neal

Have a title to suggest? Scroll down to add it in the Comments section at the end of this post.

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Meet the Author

Kesi Augustine is an author, educator, and scholar. She was born in Syracuse, New York, and raised downstate in New York City. Kesi filled her summers with books from local Queens libraries. Nowadays, when Kesi isn’t reading or writing, she is teaching language arts. Kesi lives in Central Florida. Visit her on her website.

Backstory: Q & A with Kesi Augustine

I reached out to Kesi to invite her to join me on Children’s Book Corner because Faith Take the Train is empowering and encouraging. It is an ideal read-aloud choice to reinforce an atmosphere of positivity, kindness, service, connection, and care in the classroom and wider school and neighborhood community.

Judy Bradbury: Tell us about this project: What seeded its creation? How did you conceive of the theme/focus of Faith Takes the Train?

Kesi Augustine: I was writing throughout the 2020 lockdown in New York City, and I felt a strong push to finally take my artwork seriously. I decided that it was time to use my talent for something meaningful. I took a writing workshop with Sukina Douglas on the power of listening to your heart. Then I joined the Diverse Streets Initiative in Queens, NY. My poems were featured as installation pieces during their local events for food justice. At the same time, I was helping to keep our community fridge clean. I felt so much purpose!

Suddenly, a colleague at the Gotham Writers Workshop invited me to a pitching session in the fall of 2020. I told myself that it was now or never. I had to write something—fast. I was taking the train to work, surrounded by neighbors in need. I would steal moments of writing in my classroom, surrounded by newspapers. I remembered the gentle words of Saint Theresa of Avila from the writing workshop: “Every one of us is a traveler.” All of these themes came together in a strike of inspiration.

JB: This is your debut picture book! Tell us about your writing journey.

KA: I’ve always had an obsession with writing. My parents and teachers nourished this interest throughout my childhood.

One of my favorite writing memories is this:

Seemingly out of the blue, my parents shared some intriguing news with me: there was a writing contest for the centennial of the New York City subway. I wrote a poem on my little PC. One morning, just before my commute to school, my dad helped me to put the poem into a fancy manila envelope. We kissed it good luck. It was my 14th birthday.

A few months later, I learned I had won! My poem, “Sleepless,” was featured on train cars through the Poetry in Motion series. For a whole year, I would hunt for my poem on the train. This was also my first strike of independence. I had begun to take the subway alone into Manhattan for school every day. I loved it.

“Sleepless” taught me that writing can bring people together. An upperclassman who was a super cool spoken word poet told me that they loved “Sleepless” so much: one night, while riding the rain, they broke the overhead poster holder and pulled my poem out! An unfamiliar commuter found my school address so she could send me a heartfelt thank you card. I will never forget that excitement.

Now that I write this, I realize New York has always been my biggest support with writing. I’ve had pieces published with help from High Five Tickets to the Arts, 826NYC, and the Asian American Writers Workshop, all organizations that helped me to connect locally, appreciate diversity, collaborate with my peers, and use my voice to contribute to a community.

I am so very proud of the woman I have become through Faith. I have written in spurts, then stopped for years. I’ve finally become more consistent because of this book, supported by my agent, editor, and illustrator’s expertise.

Kesi’s poem “Sleepless”

JB: Tell us about a challenge you faced in the creation of Faith Takes the Train, or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the writing of the book. 

KA: I think the biggest challenge was letting go of the idea of hiding. Once the book was published, there would be no turning back! And that was terrifying. I thought I needed to be perfect in order to be a writer.

JB: What is one unexpected joy that came from the creation of Faith Takes the Train?

KA: Putting myself out there! I am very introverted, but I love sharing Faith at local literacy festivals, in bookstores, in museums—anywhere that may be filled with a sea of young readers. Who knew? I enjoy the challenge of making interactive tables that draw in writers, teachers, family members, and inquisitive children. It’s been an unexpectedly fun expression of my creative side. I feel like I can become a character for the day. My table is my universe.

JB: What is your favorite illustration in the book? Why?

KA: The peanut butter and jelly feast is one of the best moments. I love to eat! There’s always an Uncrustable tucked away in my purse for emotional support. My favorite flavor is raspberry.

 Illustration © Mokshini

JB: I love that! What would surprise readers to learn about the writing of Faith Takes the Train?

KA: I wrote Faith to help me be a better human. I often feel I have missed opportunities to express love and kindness to others, and even to myself. Faith is the friend who inspires me to be more present and self-forgiving every day. 

JB: Who do you perceive your target audience to be and why?

KA: People of all ages who appreciate overlooked details in our lives. People who find magic in the ordinary, who have idealistic hearts. I’m quite the loner, and I’m the odd one out (no matter how hard I try). I finally see this as a gift. I think this helps me to find stories everywhere. 

JB: What do you hope young listeners/readers will take away from Faith Takes the Train?

KA: I hope young readers will know that the biggest gift they can offer the world is–-themselves! You don’t have to do anything to be “better.” We can best help one another by doing what feels right in our hearts. This story validates my need to embrace the sweet side of my inner child.

JB: How do you see Faith Takes the Train connecting to curriculum or being used in learning settings?

KA: Faith can support discussions about kindness, unhoused neighbors, mutual aid, and even analysis of transportation (maps and routes).

Faith encourages creative expression (especially with food).

Faith is also filled with spirit and might be encouraging to readers on their own spiritual journeys.

So far, Faith Takes the Train has been featured in a Kindness Mural, as well as the Coffee Can Theater at the Florida Children’s Museum, where the book inspired a range of stories about caring and generosity (July 2025).

I’ve also used Faith as the inspiration for creating kindness cards with a group of students in Grades K-3 (July 2025, Deeper Root Academy).

JB: If you could ask your young readers a question, what would it be?

KA: If you could take a train ride anywhere in the world, where would you go?

 JB: What project(s) are you currently working on?

KA: I am working on so many projects: it keeps me sane! I have a series of picture books in a series I’ve called “Art Is Life.” Each manuscript features a little protagonist finding art, beauty, and memory in their ordinary lives as they collage, perform poems, and take pictures. I have some older manuscripts, too: an ode to the bodega, and a character’s quest to confront their illiteracy. I am also writing an adventurous middle grade graphic novel inspired by the trash crisis in New York City.

 JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?

KA: Where do you feel the most at home?
Answer: In water!

Meet the Illustrator of Faith Takes the Train

Learn more about Mokshini and find her on Instagram.

Sidebar Spotlight New releases of note

Each month I receive several boxes of books to review from various publishers. As I read and peruse the books, I place them in two piles: those that I will consider featuring on the blog, and those that don’t fit the mission or theme of Children’s Book Corner blog for whatever reason. I highlight books in the “possible” pile on most Mondays on Instagram and Bluesky. Ultimately, I choose the one new release I will feature on my monthly blog post. Yet there are many terrific books I wish I could give a shout-out to, even if I can’t write an entire post about each one. So, Sidebar Spotlight is a means of giving a nod to new releases that, in my opinion, are noteworthy. I’ve linked each title to Bookshop so you can learn more. Happy reading, friends! And feel free to comment on these or other new books in the Comments section at the end of this post.

Best Buds by Becky Scharnhorst and illustrated by Jiarui Jiang is a fresh, affirming picture book about friendship that centers on the quieter among us and the time it takes to develop satisfying relationships. Recommended for Grades 1-3. 

Dear Acorn (Love, Oak) by Joyce Sidman and illustrated by Melissa Sweet  is a charming collection of “Letter Poems to Friends” offering connections and perspectives from those little and big. Button/Coat, Brick/School, Toes/ Child are just a few pairs in this recommended poetry book for Grades K-3.

The Golden Necklace by Mitali Perkins, illustrated by Maithili Joshi is a fresh, culture-rich chapter book mystery for competent 8–10-year-old readers set on a tea plantation in an Indian village. Plucky, resourceful, kind, brave, and smart, Sona is a likable main character whose adventures will keep young readers turning the pages.

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News, Updates, & Items of Interest

Banned Books Week is October 5-11. The Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader are offering a new “Keep Bans Off Our Books” kit for librarians, teachers, and booksellers in support of the right to free speech and against censorship and book bans. You can sign up to receive multiple versions of the #FREADOM coloring pages (for you to photocopy), as well as a sheet of the original “Keep Bans Off Our Books” stickers.

I’m delighted to be speaking at the New York State Reading Association annual statewide conference, being held November 9-11. I will be leading a panel discussion titled, “Reach, Connect, Teach: SEL Books with Curriculum Tie-ins” and am looking forward to sharing the podium with outstanding K-12 authors, Catherine Cook-Cottone, Mylisa Larsen, Andrea Page, Alex Sanchez, and Arlene Schenker.

I’m looking forward to returning to the Rochester Children and Teens Book Festival this year on November 8, joining over fifty authors and illustrators from across the country! If you are in the Western New York area, don’t miss this awesome book event for the whole family.

You can find more information about where my books and I will be on my Events page.

You can find me on Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn where I post about books, book-related items of interest, Little Free Libraries, and occasionally travel (exclusively on IG). Connect with me there!

I am currently booking school visits and professional development sessions for the 2025-26 school year. Find information and contact me to discuss a visit tailored to meet your school’s needs.

Photo credit: Jody LaRose

A note from a recent school visit:

Thank you so much for coming to meet with my students. You were wonderful, answering their questions and explaining how you wrote the book. We all loved it! Here are some illustrated thank you notes the students made for you. Thank you again!

Read-aloud of a portion of Cayuga Island Kids Book 2, The Adventure of the Big Fish by the Small Creek

Readers Theater, complete with props! 

Here’s a note I received after presenting “SEL-Related Children’s Books with Curriculum Tie-Ins” to teachers and librarians of Grades Pre-K—Grade 6:

Thanks so much for presenting! I heard wonderful things about your workshop! One person mentioned to me that you were so organized and passionate. They also loved seeing all the children’s books you brought with you!

Find my books packaged as a series at your favorite bookshop or purchase directly from the publisher and receive a gift with purchase! Individual titles are also available in hard, softcover, and e-book versions.

Kindness tip: If you read and like a book, consider posting a review on GoodReads, social media, or on Amazon (if you bought it there). Authors and illustrators appreciate the shout-out. Even a one-sentence comment increases visibility of a book. Also consider placing a request with your local library to purchase a copy–another free way to support a book you recommend!

Over to You…

Join the conversation! Offer your thoughts related to this month’s post:

What book about kindness and community do you recommend? Share the title, author, illustrator, and suggested age or grade range. 

You are also welcome to post a general comment.

Thanks for sharing!

Final Thought

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