Happy Birthday, Thomas!

Thomas and Friends

by W. Awdry

Illus. in full color. It's Thomas's birthday, but where are all the presents, balloons, and silly hats? Thomas thinks his friends have forgotten, but they may have a surprise for him.

Genres: Childrens, Trains, Picture Books, Fiction, Kids, 1st Grade

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE, better known as the Rev. W. Awdry, was an English clergyman, railway enthusiast and children's author, and creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, who starred in Awdry's acclaimed Railway Series.

The characters that would make Awdry famous, and the first stories featuring them, were invented in 1943 to amuse his son Christopher during a bout of measles. The first book (The Three Railway Engines) was published in 1945, and by the time Awdry stopped writing in 1972, The Railway Series numbered 26 books. Christopher subsequently added further books to the series.

Reviews

[Aahan Christian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is great book

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 3 out of 5]

And Thomas the Tank Engine is another beloved character. I thought it was kind of mean how everyone ignored Thomas on his birthday, but it turns out ok in the end.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer the Step Into Reading versions of the Thomas & Friends series because I enjoy the big font, more modern illustrations, and quicker story pace. That being said, the Thomas & Friends series is fine enough, but it just isn’t engaging for me. It feels outdated and I think the illustrations are very repetitive and the trains look rather creepy.

[Darian - Books With A Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3 year old loves Thomas so he loves the book. My 7 year old finds it an easy read but she would rather read something else. And we both agree that it sucks to have to work on your birthday and wait all day to finally have a party.

[Marilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor excuse for a book.

[Ame · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to feel uncomfortable about the idea of humans constructing trains who become sentient and contemplate their own birthdays.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan: I really liked it because Sir Topham Hatt told Thomas he needed to work so he wouldn't know what his friends were doing.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read a big-book version at A Day Out With Thomas outreach event - 9/15/2019

[Elyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids LOVED Thomas the Tank Engine. The pictures in this book are great - so colorful and welcoming. What kid wouldn't like them? (except the train engines have faces...which is weird, I know.) These books are great at teaching numbers ( all of the engines are numbered), colors, counting, and classifying objects. They are fun read-alouds. Kids love to look at them after they've heard the story.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good level 2 reader. Would be easy for a mid level 2 child to read on their own to help their self esteem to read on their own. And a merging level 1 child could probably read some of it as well.

Thomas' birthday is here and he's excited but he has to work without anyone saying anything about his birthday. All day long he gets sad because of no one saying anything. But when he gets back to the shed everyone has been busy putting together a surprise party for him.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember that study that came out a few years ago where ELL adult ladies had HUGE growth when they read Sweet Valley Kids books and they totally unironically loved them? I feel that way about this book. Just challenging enough that I've read it three times already and want to read it again. My students are so proud of me.

[Sherry Thornberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Thomas and his friends are animated in the Thomas books. In this book, even though its his birthday, Thomas goes to work. and then he gets a surprise party. I like the fact that he worked all day anyway and that his birthday was a surprise.

[Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2022

2021
Gift from Harper's grandmother

My favorite part is how Thomas is made to work hard on his birthday because he is told no one else can work. And it turns out they weren't working because they were setting up a party. But Thomas has to work all day 😂😂

[Becca · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a silly book that I got for free - but for some reason Parker loves it...probably the balloons :)

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

first ar book read

[Deeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 year old birthday boy loved this book!

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

AR 1.5

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy Birthday, Thomas!
Awdry, Wilbert
a book for your thomas fans related to the bbc television show

[Superreader200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas has a birthday.

[Katie]

II

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memories reading these to C when she was little, so happy to revisit them tonight!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid Thomas ready reader book about a topic of great interest to preschoolers - birthday parties.

[Elexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for learning Spanish

[Angel Lederhause · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas was mad because he didn't want to work it was his birthday and he wanted a party. it was a good book

[Lucylle Castañeda-Cordero]

"Based on the series The railway by Rev. W. Awdry."



"Basado en la serie The railway por el Rev. W. Awdry."

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

read by myself, the most difficult reader so far!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of N's favorite books that I'm not annoyed reading 100 times

[Jess 🦋]

How dare he make Thomas work on his b day !