Anyone remember this book?

[Lewis Ehrhardt]

I remember as a child reading a book about a steam shovel. I remember one particular phrase in the book, "Give me room to swing my scoop." It's not Tommy Steam Shovel. Anyone remember this book?

[Mel Fulks]

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel,read it last night in my smoking jacket while sipping brandy.

[Michael Weber]

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel,read it last night in my smoking jacket while sipping brandy.
Now there's a picture lol
still available http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_9?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=mike%20mulligan%20and%20his%20steam%20sho vel&sprefix=mike+mull%2Cstripbooks%2C200&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Amike%20mulligan%20and%20hi s%20steam%20shovel

[glenn bradley]

I read it as a kid and read it to my kids.

[Jeff Monson]

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel,read it last night in my smoking jacket while sipping brandy.

that's funny stuff Mel, I do remember that book as a child. Funny how I can remember a childhood book....but cant remember what I came into the room for :confused:

[Mel Fulks]

Thanks ,Jeff. I'm with you on that memory thing. That book question made me realize that my memory of first grade is clearer than recent stuff.

[Rick Potter]

I am interested in the book that started with "It was a dark and stormy night". :cool:

Amazing what questions get answered here, isn't it?

Rick Potter

[Mel Fulks]

Can't think of the title...author was Snoopy. I notice we haven't read any surprise from Lewis on how fast he got the answer,must think we are google. Once when I was shopping a much older guy walked up to me and said "in doctor jeckle and Mr Hyde ,which one was the good guy?" I gave him the answer ,he thanked me and continued on.

[Rick Potter]

Wow,

That was quick. Mel, you are a literary giant.

Rick P

[Jeremy Hamaker]

I am interested in the book that started with "It was a dark and stormy night". :cool:

Rick Potter

"It was a dark and stormy night" is an often-mocked and parodied phrase[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_was_a_dark_and_stormy_night#cite_note-finder-1) written by English novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bulwer-Lytton) in the opening sentence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incipit) of his 1830 novel Paul Clifford (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Clifford).[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_was_a_dark_and_stormy_night#cite_note-2) The phrase is considered to represent "the archetypal example of a florid, melodramatic style of fiction writing,"[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_was_a_dark_and_stormy_night#cite_note-finder-1) also known as purple prose (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_prose).
The phrase comes from the original opening sentence of Paul Clifford:

It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents — except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.

[Eric DeSilva]

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel,read it last night in my smoking jacket while sipping brandy.

Are you sure? I've read Mike Mulligan a lot in the past year, and I don't remember that phrase coming up. Not sayin' that isn't the book Lewis is thinking of, but the phrase seems like one that would be said by the steam shovel, and I really don't remember Mary Anne actually ever saying anything in the book. And that phrase doesn't seem to fit the story.

[Mel Fulks]

Eric, I'm not sure .Could have been the brandy.

[Lewis Ehrhardt]

Don't think it's Mike Mulligan. I have the book AND have actually read it again, but didn't see my phrase in there. I read this book as a child about 8. For some reason, that phrase has stuck in my head over the years, like "don't worry be happy" sort of thing. Just would like to have a copy. Lewis

[Mel Fulks]

I must say when teachers read to kids they sometimes add their own flourishes that are later part of the listener's memory . But if you know you read it ,you will find it.

[Eric DeSilva]

Just for kicks, I went onto Amazon into the children's book section and searched for "steam shovel". While Mike Mulligan dominates, there's also links to a "Digger Dan" by Mabel Watts from '53 (http://www.amazon.com/Digger-Dan-Mabel-Watts/dp/B0007HS2YW/ref=sr_1_44?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373663580&sr=1-44&keywords=steam+shovel) and a "Brave Little Steam Shovel" by Alf Evers from '83 (http://www.amazon.com/Brave-Little-Steam-Shovel/dp/0843141425/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373663523&sr=1-4&keywords=steam+shovel).

[Jim Matthews]

that's funny stuff Mel, I do remember that book as a child. Funny how I can remember a childhood book....but cant remember what I came into the room for :confused:

You have just described the rationale for keychains, watchfobs and lanyards.
I begin to fear that in my golden years, I will wear an Alice Pack stuffed with my field rations
or will need a set of panniers for my walker.

Perhaps I should label each room with "A list of why you're probably in here..."

[Lewis Ehrhardt]

Thanks Eric! Digger Dan it was! I've been looking for that book for about 10 years. You've made my day. Lewis Thanks to all the other suggestions as well.

[Rick Potter]

Right you are Jeremy,

I remembered it from English class at college some 50 years ago, but Mel reminded me that Snoopy must have taken the same class, between flying lessons in his Sopworth Camel.

Rick Potter

[Belinda Barfield]

You have just described the rationale for keychains, watchfobs and lanyards.
I begin to fear that in my golden years, I will wear an Alice Pack stuffed with my field rations
or will need a set of panniers for my walker.

Perhaps I should label each room with "A list of why you're probably in here..."

Thanks you, Jim. This is a Fabulous idea! I'm going to do this today . . . as soon as I remember where I left my pen . . . and some paper . . . and some tape. My day is going to be so busy. :D

[Bill Bukovec]

My personal favorite is the 2005 contest winner of the edward bulwer-lytton fiction contest. I tried to copy the text, but for some reason I couldn't do it. Enjoy.

[Joe Angrisani]

I've got a stack of file cards, a pen, and some tape in my hands. Now what was I going to do with it......?

[Leigh Costello]

Perhaps it was Steve the Steam Shovel. I remember having to read that book to my brother until he could read it himself. I lived in a household where the older kids read to the younger kids so mom and dad could do what they needed to do. I loved that book. I have always wanted to have one of my own. My husband never got me one. Probably a good thing.
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