I love historical fiction, and this one was definitely a story that I had never heard before. Back in the late 1800s in South Africa, a man named Jim lost his legs in an accident while working on train track repairs. He still needed to work, so he was trained to be a signalman, moving trains to their proper tracks. One day, he comes across a man who had a baboon as an assistant, and strikes a deal to purchase Jack. What follows is an amazing story of how Jack the baboon becomes an imperative service animal and helper to Jim. It is truly incredible what this baboon was able to learn how to do. And the deep friendship and connection between Jim and Jack is beautiful. I'm so glad to have learned a new story.

Following the story, the author talks about how she went about researching the story, which I appreciate as a teacher. The history buff in me loves the real photographs of the real Jim and Jack. Then there is a section that gets into more educational aspects, such as a description of primates, a history of service animals, a glossary of terms, and a list of internet resources for further exploration. Discussion questions can be used in the classroom, or for fun for the independent reader who may like to think about what he has just read. I think it would definitely make a great addition to a classroom library and could lead to all kinds of research projects. I give it 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Talk about a cool historical story. We've got a lot of compelling elements at play here. First, there's a man who didn't let negative circumstances hold him back. Having lost his legs he could have resigned himself to a quiet life at home, other people taking care of him. Instead he found a way to prove himself and go back to work, even though it was much harder for him to do on wooden legs. And then we add in an intelligent and affectionate animal. Railway Jack's story proves that animals can learn. He wasn't simply trained to complete specific tasks. He learned to associate signals and respond accordingly. He drew conclusions. This is an absolute joy to read with just the right amount of detail for an elementary aged reader.

I LOVED this book so much! This is the type of book that seems to be trending with my students right now. They are drawn by stories that connect to real people and animals. Jim and Jack’s friendship made my heart warm throughout the story. I love that it includes photographs and information on the real Jim and Jack and also information on service animals, a glossary and much more. I’ve recommended this book to my fellow Reading Madness committee teachers at my school to be one considered for next school year’s selection. I can’t wait to share this story with my students. I know they will love Jim and Jack’s story as much as I did!

Our family loves true stories of animal heroes. We read stories of real dogs, cats, and goats but this is the first story of a baboon. Railway Jack by KT Johnston has now become a family favorite.

The life of Jim and Jack in South Africa is interesting on its own but the author made it quite entertaining. We could only guess what Jack would decide to learn next. The illustrations enhance the text, adding to the pleasure of reading the story, not overpowering it. Clearly Jack was an amazing service animal but he is also portrayed as a friend to Jim too. Yay for Jack.

The real photographs, resources which include questions, information on service animals and further ways to research take this book form a wonderful story to a great book encouraging children to read further.

The publisher through Net Galley provided an ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

Railway Jack is a true, charming and unlikely story of Jim, a railway guard, and a baboon called Jack. Around 1875 Jim Wide was the railway guard at Uitenhage Station in South Africa. Following a work accident he had to have both his legs amputated. Not one to give up easily he made his own wooden legs and asked to be rehired by the railway authorities. This they did and he became a signalman.
Eventually he bought a baboon who he trained to pull the signal levers amongst many other jobs. They ended up working together for over nine years. A remarkable story, and one I'm sure many children would enjoy reading or to have read to them. It really is great for lots of discussions on determination, animals being mans best friend, companionship.
At the end there is a touching note from the author, a short note about the chacma baboon, a list of service animals, a glossary, discussion questions and an internet resource list.
Thank you to K.T. Johnston, Net Galley and the publisher, Capstone for an ARC.

The true story of Jim Wide and his service companion, Railway Jack is a warm, endearing tale. When Jim looses his legs in a tragic accident at the train station, he also looses his job. One day while observing a baboon at the market, Jim wonders if this animal can help him as well. As Jim regains his job, he finds that Jack is bright, hardworking and eager to please. Together the two embark on a unique friendship. Known as one of the original service animals, Jack finds his way into the community and Jim's heart. A delightful story and beautifully illustrated, Railway Jack would make a wonderful book for any family looking to broaden their children's perspective. As a homeschool mom, I love that the author included additional information in baboons, service animal history, additional internet resources, and more. Railway Jack is much more than a picture book. It is an invitation to another world. I would whole hearted recommend this book.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Several years ago, I found a book titled African Animal Tales in a secondhand shop. One of the stories in this book was about a baboon who helped a man in South Africa. My boys loved that story. Recently when I was looking through the titles offered for review, I noticed Railway Jack, and recognized it as the same story. I read it to my 7- and 4-year-olds this afternoon. They were as intrigued by the story as their older brothers had been!
Jim, who inspected trains in a small station in the far south of South Africa, lost his legs in an accident. After he made himself wooden legs and learned to get around again, he was given the job of switching tracks for the trains. There were still many things that were difficult for him to do, however, so when he saw a baboon named Jack working for a man in town, he bought the animal and trained him to do the work that he needed done.
The baboon watched his master very closely, and soon figured out what the train whistles meant. Soon, he began doing the jobs that were indicated by the whistle code. A horrified passenger reported to the train authorities that a baboon was switching tracks—but the ensuing investigation proved that he didn't make a mistake! The railroad officially hired Jack, and paid him with fruits and vegetables.
This is a beautifully illustrated book. The full-color paintings are slightly stylized, but, in my opinion, very attractive. At the end of the book are an author's note about the research she did for the book, some photographs of Jack working, a brief history of service animals, and some discussion questions. Who would enjoy this book? Any child who loves animals or trains! I would like to have it on my shelf.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
WARNING: Page 37 talks about primates, and lumps humans with apes.

A fascinating true story of a baboon employed by a railroad in South Africa. My nephew loves trains (he's 4) and so I have heard a lot of stories from him about trains. I was happy to find this story that he didn't know that I could share with him. A railroad worker who was injured on the job had a hard time completing all his tasks after he lost his legs. He purchased a baboon that he saw helping another man and trained him to assist him. Jack (the baboon) was a quick learner and learned how to switch tracks and even passed a test and became an official employee when the railroad found out about him! The story is well told and the photographs and information on the real Jack at the end is an added treasure.

This story is heartwarming and cute. What makes it even more amazing is that it is based on a true story. I think this is a fantastic book to tell children about service animals and disability in an amazing and playful way. The book is beautifully illustrated. Definite reading recommendation for elementary school kids and older kindergarteners.

<em>Railway Jack</em> by KT Johnston and illustrated by César Samaniego is such an amazingly inspirational story about a disabled man and the service animal, a monkey called Jack, who changes his life. After losing both of his legs in an accident, Jim struggled to keep up with the daily requirements of his job. He soon gets Jack, a monkey to whom he teaches various aspects of his job that he now finds difficult to complete, such as pulling the levers to change the tracks. As people learn about the monkey working with the railway inspector, concerns arise as to the safety of the situation and so Jim and Jack find themselves having to prove their capabilities and worth.

This was truly a wonderful tale, told and illustrated in the most beautiful of ways. Often I've found that it can be very easy for others to write off those with disabilities as being incapable of certain jobs or activities but Jim and Jack's story puts to bed those sorts of ideas. It was also truly fantastic to see how a service animal can make such an impactful change to the life of someone who is disabled. For Jim, Jack provided him with the ability to continue working in general but also within a job that he loved and had held for years.

The illustrations are exquisite and will do an amazing job of keeping young children engaged in this truly inspiring account. This is the kind of story that I could see myself using at work as I would love to introduce this little piece of history to many of my students. I am exceedingly grateful to have had the opportunity to have read this book and I definitely imagine I will be looking to it in the future.

<em>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</em>

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Another great true story about a person who does everything he can to overcome obstacles and situations that could change his life forever. When Jim lost his legs to an accident in the railyard where he worked, he didn't want to lose his job. Desperate to keep working, he had to come up with a solution and he did. He trained a baboon named Jack to do some of the jobs on command. When the railway officials found out about Jack, they almost took Jim's job away, but Jack and Jim worked together to show them what they could do.

This is a non-fiction book for middle-grade students that has some great messages. It deals with not giving up, even when things are against you. It shows that people with disabilities can do whatever they put their minds to as long as they have the necessary supports in place. It also shows how important support animals are in the lives of those who need them. K.T. Johnson produced a very well researched book about a person in history that I had never heard of, but want to know more about now. Once again, this book would be a great source to demonstrate how to research and write a biography for middle-grade students. A great book for public, school and classroom libraries.

I had never heard this story and what a super cool way to tell younger children about a piece of history. What a wonderful story about an early service animal. Thank you for sharing this story!

This is the true story of Jim Wide who lost his lower legs in an industrial train accident. However, he still needed to earn a living, and so begged to be able to work. He got a job as a signal man, working the switches, and comes across a trained baboon that he rescues to help him at his job.

He trains the baboon to help him with the switches, and the become a team.

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/railwayjack.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5337" />

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/railway-jack.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5338" />

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/railway-jack2.png" alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-5339" />

Interesting story of a very early service animal, and how loved he was. The author was amazed at what had been written about Jack, and how there is still an exhibit to him, to this day.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Based on a true story of a train track operator in South Africa, and his remarkable friend and coworker Jack the Baboon.



This picture book tells the story of Jim and Jack's remarkable partnership and friendship working on the South African rail lines. It is an inspiring true story, about overcoming physical obstacles and the bond of friendship. This book celebrates the early days before service animals were common place.



The illustrations are colorful, realistic, and classic, drawing on inspiration from real photographs of the dynamic duo of man and baboon.



I highly recommend this charming true story of a man and his faithful baboon as they worked together on the rails for 9 years until Jack's death.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Great book...enjoyed the topic and learning more about the workings of railway depots. An enjoyable story that teaches children about the value of friendship.

Railway Jack is a true story about a baboon in South Africa who helped his human Jim as a service animal when Jim lost his legs in an accident. Jim, and Jack looked out and helped one another for years. They were inseparable.

This book showed how amazing the bonds of friendship can be between humans and animals. I found this story to be so incredible and hard to believe.

The images were adorable and the pictures at the end were just fantastic.

Wonderful story. must read to feel the bond between two friends of different species. Thanks to the author for immemorialising this story.

What an interesting story! I'd never heard of Jack the baboon or his friend, Jim Wide. I'm glad I got a chance to read this book and find out more about this unique pair.

Jim was a double amputee, and had trouble doing some tasks. When he had the opportunity to buy Jack, an intelligent baboon, he took it, and the two became close friends. Jack started out helping Jim with various tasks in the man's life, but proved to be so intelligent that he was eventually able to be employed by the railway as Jim's official assistant! He listened to and counted the number of train whistles, which indicated how the track needed to be switched... and then he did it himself! People were understandably concerned at first, but when an official was brought in to test Jack's skills, the baboon passed easily. It's said that in all his years of working the switches, he never made a mistake.

I have some conflicted feelings about this from an animal welfare point of view. Jack was worked awfully hard, though it seemed he would've done just about anything for Jim. I noticed the chain that Jack wore in the original photos that are included at the back of the book; it's noticeably absent from the illustrations. (That seems uncomfortably close to sanitizing part of the story.) Animal rights were, of course, viewed very differently in the 1880s than they are today. But I still would've liked to see the depiction of Jack's treatment be as accurate as possible.

There's a nice little note at the end talking about what happened to Jack and Jim, with a few photos. There's also a short discussion about service animals and some information about baboons.

Overall, this is a really strong biographical picture book about a pair of subjects that kids will likely find fascinating. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy non-fiction titles about animals, especially ones who do extraordinary things.

A very well done picture book! The writing and illustrations go together perfectly! Great biography about a little -known railway inspector and his service baboon. Jim’s disability is serious but doesn’t define who he is. Jack, was truly an amazing service animal! Even more though the book illustrates the close, loving relationship between the two. . The book was very well researched and the author explains the process he/she went to. At the end of the book there is a nice section that highlights the history of service animals. This would be great in a second-fifth grade classroom. As an adult reader I really enjoyed it!

What an amazing story! This book is about an amazing duo: Jim Wide, and his service baboon, Jack. Jim had lost both of his legs in a rail accident and struggled to fulfill his job at the railway until he found Jack. I was fascinated by Jim's foresight to recognize the possibility of what Jack could do to help him. I was amazed by all the skills that Jack was able to learn, and gave me a greater appreciation for baboons and service animals in general.

The author's research on the topic was impressive, and I especially appreciated the photos at the end of the book. I'd never heard of a baboon being used as a service animal, and I found the author's note about the history of service animals to be interesting and very informative. I have no doubt kids would be fascinated, and the discussion questions at the end would lead to great discussions.

The illustrator did a beautiful job on the pictures. They really brought the story to life. Overall, a wonderful story that I would recommend!