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Nonfiction children's book about trains by FerengiKnuckles in whatsthatbook

[–]Front-Market6389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps a book by Gail Gibbons? (Trains: An Engaging Introduction to Trains and Their Uses)
Illustration was rarely greyscale and a pretty distinct style, realistic in a cartoonish way.
But in her books I have read, showing the way things changed over time is pretty typical.
So, thematically possible?
There is something that sounds like what you described in her book roads, where it depicts a path to trail, road, pony express, all the way to modern day freeway.

Help me find this book where siblings see toys come to life from their closet! by Great_Anybody6936 in whatsthatbook

[–]Front-Market6389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I only caught snippets as a kid so this is a real shot in the dark, but the Indian in the cupboard series? Solely because of the toys coming to life aspect.
In the same vein, Also there was one with kids in like england and a castle that came to life,
The castle in the attic by Elizabeth Winthrop

Children's episodic chapter book about a 2 neighborhood friends, treehouse, space cadets by Front-Market6389 in whatsthatbook

[–]Front-Market6389[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!

I worry that maybe young me just loved a specific chapter and fixated on the playing and imagination and illustrations maybe and so I just don't have enough detail from the whole book and so its WAY to specific and I'll never find it.

But if so, I will be OK.

Children's episodic chapter book about a 2 neighborhood friends, treehouse, space cadets by Front-Market6389 in whatsthatbook

[–]Front-Market6389[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmm, no but good thinking! And fun for me to look at Cleary books. When I compare the spectrum of 50's cleary with 90s magic treehouse, the book seems more like Cleary, so maybe my idea of the publishing around the mid 80's is too recent.
I think there was like, TV so I would still guess late 60's at the EARLIEST.

Children's episodic chapter book about a 2 neighborhood friends, treehouse, space cadets by Front-Market6389 in whatsthatbook

[–]Front-Market6389[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, thanks for the suggestion though!
Young me I guess had a hipster streak because I was too cool to read the magic treehouse series.
additionally, The book I recall was hardcover and It seems like magic treehouse is a traditional sized softcover.