I read Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel with the kids tonight (my first time ever reading it). What a parable of technological modernity. The early pages show Mulligan’s steam shovel—named Mary Anne—uprooting and destroying all types of terrain. But then, Mike is quickly out of work as various other shovels hit the market (diesel, electric, etc.). I won’t spoil the ending for you, but suffice it to say: I’m not the target audience for this one.