May the Best Engine Win!

Thomas and Friends

by W. Awdry, Tommy Stubbs

EMILY, THE NEWEST engine, is determined to prove that she is as Really Useful as Thomas, so she challenges Thomas to a whoever can do the job the fastest is the winner. Soon they are off, each on a whirlwind rush around the Island of Sodor. But they both realize that speed is only part of being Really Useful . . . the work must be done right.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Joshua Glasgow]

I like this one better than KING OF THE RAILWAY. Interestingly, in this one they are still “peeping” but at one point it says the engines “peeped and pooped”. 😳

Oddly, my 5-year-old didn’t react at all to that. I thought for sure he’d crack up. After I drew attention to it, he did, but not on his own.

[Colin E.c.]

I like that emily and thomas are preparing for a special day. I like how they have numbers -- Thomas has a one and emily has a four -- and they both want to prove that they are really useful.

[Kelly Chester]

What a great book

[Kelsey]

Compared to other Thomas & Friends books, this one had a plot that felt purposeful and like it was progressing. The messages were impactful (do your job well and don’t rush it, if you’re going to compete have a friendly competition, make safe and smart choices, and be kind to others—among other messages sprinkled throughout the story). This is not a series that I typically enjoy, but I do think this story in the series was done better than others in the series.

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 It feels outdated and I think the illustrations are very repetitive and the trains look rather creepy.

[Samantha]

The two main characters happen to have my parent's names.

[Jillyholdy]

Little wordy for Holden, but, boy, he sure likes books about trains.

[Rachael]

The story is pretty standard but we just love Emily so much.

[Joel]

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