Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel facts for kids
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| Author | Virginia Lee Burton |
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| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin Company |
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Publication date
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1939 |
| Pages | 48 |
| ISBN | 0395169615 1967 edition |
| OCLC | 170273 |
| LC Class | PZ7.B954 Mi |
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (ISBN: 0-590-75803-9) is a popular children's book written by Virginia Lee Burton. It was first published in 1939. This was a time when many people were struggling because of something called the Great Depression. The story is about a man named Mike Mulligan and his loyal steam shovel named Mary Anne.
Many people consider this book a classic. It is a favorite among children and teachers alike. In 2007, the National Education Association even listed it as one of the "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children." This shows how much people love this story.
The book was also made into an animated short film. This film first aired on HBO in 1990. It was directed by Michael Sporn and narrated by Robert Klein. You might have seen it as an "HBO Storybook Musical." It is also available on DVD.
Contents
The Story of Mike and Mary Anne
Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, had worked together for many years. They were a great team. But times were changing. Newer shovels that used gasoline, electric power, or diesel fuel were becoming popular. These new machines were faster and more modern.
A Big Challenge for Mike and Mary Anne
Mike and Mary Anne found it hard to get work. They searched everywhere for a job. Finally, they found a small town that needed a new town hall built. Mike made a bold offer to the town leaders. He said that if he and Mary Anne could not finish the job in one day, the town would not have to pay them.
The town leaders were surprised. They thought the work would take a hundred men a whole week! They decided to hire Mike and Mary Anne. They figured they would get their new cellar for free if the pair failed. Even Mike had some doubts about finishing in time.
The Race Against the Sun
The next morning, as the sun came up, Mike and Mary Anne started digging. They worked very hard and very fast. They dug all day long without stopping. As the sun began to set, they finally finished the job.
But then they realized something important. They had forgotten to leave a ramp! Mary Anne was stuck in the bottom of the deep cellar. She had no way to get out.
A Clever Solution for a Sticky Situation
Everyone wondered what to do. Then, a smart child had an idea. The child suggested that Mary Anne could become the new building's boiler. A boiler is a machine that makes heat. Mike could then become the building's janitor, taking care of the heating system.
Mike and Mary Anne liked this idea. They settled happily into their new jobs. Mary Anne kept the town hall warm, and Mike took care of her. They continued to work together, just in a different way.
How the Book Was Created
The author, Virginia Lee Burton, got the idea for the book's setting from a real place. In 1938, she went to a town meeting in West Newbury, Massachusetts. She sketched the town hall and the people there. This inspired the setting for Mike and Mary Anne's big job.
The Idea for the Ending
The ending of the book, where Mary Anne becomes a boiler, came from a clever suggestion. Virginia Lee Burton was having dinner with friends. She told them about her problem: Mike and Mary Anne were stuck in the hole they dug.
Dick Berkenbush, who was about 12 years old at the time, had an idea. He suggested that the steam shovel could become the building's heating system. He knew about steam heating because his father had a garage with one. This simple idea solved the author's problem and gave the book its happy ending.
The Animated Film Adaptation
In 1990, the book Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel was made into an animated short film. This film was directed by Michael Sporn. It was adapted and narrated by the comedian Robert Klein. The film was produced by Michael Sporn Animation and Italtoons Corporation.
This short film is often shown as part of "HBO Storybook Musical." It was first released on video by Golden Video. Later, Scholastic Books released it on DVD. This DVD included 27 other films based on classic children's books.
