The Cranky Day and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories

Thomas and Friends

by W. Awdry, David Mitton (Photographer)

THIS BRAND-NEW FORMAT includes a CD that’s right on the inside front cover of the book. In an envelope all its own, the CD is protected but easy to access. Kids can read along with Alec Baldwin as he narrates three charming tales of adventure, bravery, and perseverance. Cranky the Crane makes trouble, Percy feels put-upon, and Lady Hatt gets a special birthday party in this exciting collection.

Genres: Childrens, Trains, Picture Books, Fiction

24 pages, Paperback & Cd

First published April 25, 2000

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

[Rose Rosetree]

Children aged 3-7 are invited to read this book. Although, according to our blurber here at Goodreads, only BOYS need apply. As in, "Join Thomas & Friends for three exciting adventures on the Island of Sodor. These fun-filled train tales are sure to please boys ages 3-7."

Okay. Perhaps this reflects the historical era, since this particular gem of train-dom was published so looooooooong ago, back in 2000. Had girls been invented yet, all the way back in Y2K?

NEXT, HOW ABOUT THE PERENNIAL PROBLEM WITH ALL BOOKS I'VE SEEN SO FAR
ABOUT THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

A dearth of human emotion: To this Goodreader this has been a consistent problem. But wow!

Names of the different tales in this chapter book reveal that the author was trying really hard to inject human emotion into these strangely impersonal characters, the train guys. Can you spot a theme here, Goodreaders?

1. Cranky Bugs
2. Put-upon Percy
3. Lady Hatt's Birthday Party

Yep, 2 out of 3 chapters are about human vexation. Definitely, mild vexation still counts as an emotion.

AND ALSO, IMAGINE THIS

Indeed, imagine! Lady Hatt, a female character, got her own story in ths chapter book. Caroline Hatt was allowed to be included, even if female readers weren't.

Perhaps you have the same burning question I did. Did Lady Hatt display crankiness?

Of course not. Wasn't she a Lady? Wasn't she a gir? Her strongest emotive performance in this book was to wail.

[Little Champs]

2825

[Jane Night]

My kids are big Thomas fans. These Thomas stories were fun and the pictures were great.
Our main issue was that the book is pretty text heavy which made it hard for my 5 yr old twins to keep their attention. It also made it a chore to read in one setting.
If I were to read it again I might have done one story in a setting instead of going through the whole book in one read.

[Virginia]

Of course my children love this book solely because it is a Thomas and Friends book. With that said, the pictures seem old fashioned but my kids like them. The stories are just like in the series. Make of that what you will.

[Bettie]

.

[Krissy]

The Evil Overlord in Training is into Thomas now. Thankfully the stories are interesting even to mommies and daddies.

[Theresa]

early reader based on the thomas the tank engine stories