Filled with gentle humor and lots of photos, here are three fun new stories straight from Thomas’ newest video. First, Thomas saves the day when the medals for the children’s Sports Day are left in the station. Next, Skarloey must help Sir Topham Hatt when he is carried off by a runaway balloon. And finally, Gordon wants nothing to do with the big engine decorating contest, but a large banner might alter his plans.
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.
Illustrated with stills from the Thomas and Friends, (series 7 episodes 26, 21 and 22) - shot in the traditional manner with large scale models rather than being computer animated. It contains 3 stories, "Hooray for Thomas", "The Grand Opening" and "Best Dressed Engine". The second is about the Skarloey narrow gauge railway. At one point in "Best Dressed Engine" Gordon gets a banner wrapped around his smokebox but the narrator says "firebox", which of course is at the other end of the boiler. I cannot imagine Awdry making the same mistake, but of course it's really not one of his stories.
We enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends. This book has four stories in it and all 'variety' of various friends working and learning together.