Grävskopan Amanda (1939)

A modern classic that no child should miss. Since it was first published in 1939, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel has delighted generations of children. Mike and his trusty steam shovel, Mary Anne, dig deep canals for boats to travel through, cut mountain passes for trains, and hollow out cellars for city skyscrapers -- the very symbol of industrial America. But with progress come new machines, and soon the inseparable duo are out of work. Mike believes that Mary Anne can dig as much in a day as one hundred men can dig in a week, and the two have one last chance to prove it and save Mary Anne from the scrap heap. What happens next in the small town of Popperville is a testament to their friendship, and to old-fashioned hard work and ingenuity. -- GoodReads

Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton is a story about hard work and perseverance during the technology revelation. Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Ann worked hard at their jobs to help build infrastructure in the growing west. However, times are changing and new gas powered steam shovels are doing the work faster and better and threatening to end their partnership. It's their last chance to prove they can beat any modern machine and make a deal with a mayor of a town to build it's town hall in one day! The story is about dedication, loyalty and never giving up. A great lesson to learn for all kids!

I don't remember a lot about this one, beyond the fact that I definitely read it as a kid. ( )

Mike prefers his steam shovel to the new gas and diesel-engine contraptions and digs his way to a happy ending.

This classic tale pits a steam shovel Mary Anne, against the more progressive machines as they modernize construction work. Mike Mulligan doesn't let it get him down. He finds a small town solution that works for all. I consider it an American folktale. ( )