Thomas the Tank Engine Story Collection

Thomas and Friends

by W. Awdry, C. Reginald Dalby (Illustrator), John T. Kenney (Illustrator)

Since the first Thomas stories written by a father for his son over 60 years ago, Thomas the Tank Engine continues to delight children everywhere. This collection contains 14 of the best-loved titles of the Reverend W Awdry’s classic Railway Series and includes the most famous adventures of Thomas and his Really Useful Engine friends. These exciting and funny tales, over 55 of them, are enhanced by the original artwork in this stunning new gift edition.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Picture Books

508 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been slowly reading the Thomas the Tank Engine Story Collection to my grandson. I really delighted in this because 20+ years ago I read it to my son. I think it’s very important to instill the love of reading in a child. I am very impressed that my 16 month old grandson sat still for this entire book, one story at a time. Right now he is taking a nap on the old grandpa‘s chest while I whisper this review into my phone. Life is good.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think we managed to read all of the stories in here at least once and several more than once. I thought my daughter was going to pitch a fit when we had to take it back, but all was well. I love the old-timey look of the illustrations and the very British tone of the writing. They really do seem to have personalities all their own and I think the history of how Awdry came to write them was in here too and it was fascinating (or I read it on Wikipedia after being subjected to much more Thomas than I ever thought my daughter would be interested in).

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fav set of story’s as a kid

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many parents' first acquaintance with Thomas the Tank Engine has been through the huge amount of Thomas and Friends merchandise which was produced as a result of the popular Thomas and Friends television program. This program was inspired by Reverend Awdry's Railway Series, originally published in the 1940's.

The original books are based on the real workings of a British rail yard, and they center around the activities of Thomas the Tank Engine, who is likable, hard-working and often cheeky. He and his friends the other engines have distinct personalities, and many of their adventures and conflicts hinge on character flaws and lessons learned through mistakes. Although sometimes heavy-handed, Awdry's well-written stories illustrate the consequences of pride, self-importance and foolishness as well as the importance of friendship and respect. The moral lessons in the stories do often focus on the engines' performance and status in the train yard, with emphasis on dignity (or, in some cases, apparently sinful pride) and productivity (or the need to justify their place in the yard). Christian parents of children who struggle with legalistic self-righteousness may want to pre-screen the stories before reading.

This volume brings together 14 of the 41 original Thomas stories in a beautiful (and heavy) gift edition, complete with a ribbon bookmark and brief biographies of the stories' creators. The chapters are short and easy to read, making it an excellent fit for transitional readers and young listeners moving into chapter books. Because it is written in British English and has some railway terminology, it may be a slightly better read-aloud than read-alone. While all children who like trains ought to enjoy them, these stories will probably have a special appeal to young boys.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read thru page 74 of this book. The section The Three Railway Engines and Thomas the Tank Engine (those were two separate entries in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up).

This is a great edition compiling a whole host of stories with Thomas the Tank Engine in one colorfully illustrated edition that includes a ribbon bookmark sewn into the binding! I love that little touch.

Thomas is a perennial favorite with kids for the past 60+ years. His stories have been made into television series and toys and more books. He's hard to miss where kids toys and books are to be found.

Despite the fact that tank engines themselves are not in vogue anymore, most kids can still identify trains today (and with any luck at all, the United States will begin reinvesting in rail service much more in the near future so that a lot more folks will have first-hand experience with the pleasure of riding a train).

These stories are full of values that we'd all like to see our children have: hard-work, patience, kindness, helpfulness and so on. They're a great tool for introducing children to the rewards of these values in a way that is much more captivating to them than if we sat them down and said things like, "Hard-work and patience are important."

[Professor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge collection of the original Thomas stories. If you (or your children) enjoy Thomas stories, they'll enjoy these. If you have issues with the series, well, this is a lot of them; avoid.

[Evan Hays · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, I didn't like these as much as I thought I would.

I grew up loving the Shining Time Station show, and loving toy trains, and of course Jackson loves all things trains as well. So we got this book, and purchased it previously for our godson, for Jackson a little while back, and I've been reading it to him steadily over the last 4 months or so.

There are many excellent stories, but I they are very spotty, and I just never felt like I got to know any of the characters very well because he introduces new ones so often.

These stories are still great, but probably just not as great as everyone seems to think they are. Jackson does, at least, know how to describe his "cross" feelings, which most American children cannot do.

[Julieanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally titled The Railway Series, this collection of the literary works by Reverend Wilbert Awdry is perhaps the best fiction series written for children about steam engines to ever be published. The trains all have distinct personalities and are easy to relate to from the proud Gordon to cheeky Thomas and wise Toby.

While some of Sir Topham Hatt's actions seem harsh by modern standards, keep in mind he is trying to run an effective railway so he cannot afford to let his engines go without learning their lessons. This edition of the series is a great gift for children or the Thomas fan in your life, presented in a beautiful hardcover edition with a built-in ribbon book mark and will look rather handsome on the shelf.

[Athos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading these. The stories start off simple and fun and uncomplicated. Son of Athos loved either plowing through or getting some favourites read to him over and over. Towards the end of the collection both the plots and the writing get a bit untidy, with too many details or unnecessary conversations. Maybe the audience was more grown up ... but my favourite stories are the straight and simple ones. They have more charm and humour than the later ones.

[James McIntosh Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Thomas and Friends" shows, movies, and toys have become popular all over. My brother loved them, my children love them, and I know plenty of other children who have or still do as well.

While as an adult they might not all be especially interesting, these books they are based on are different. I enjoyed reading them to my family.

They are fun and humorous, creative, different, and wholesome.

[Rachel Mowat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m so glad our nightly reading of this book is over! My son asked for it every night. So he must have liked it. He’s 7. I, however, hated it! It was difficult to know who’s voice was speaking as it wasn’t specific. It’s old, so lots of speech went over my head let alone a 7 year olds. But he seemed to enjoy it. I’m glad it done though!

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories are fairly enjoyable but I don’t appreciate the “lessons.” I understand this was not written for our time, but... The engines are vengeful and mean to each other. Humiliation is the tool of choice for inducing contrition and change. Name-calling and minimization of feelings is constant. We will not read this book again and I do not recommend it.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book to read to my Thomas loving five year old. After months of trying to get him to listen to a story, we had five left when he declared, “Mommy, I don’t like this because it is too old.” So, I finished those last five stories on my own, while he admired the pictures.

These stories have been incorporated into the shows, and it is fun to see what has been changed for television.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved watching the “Thomas & Friends” 🚂 videos as a kid, but never read the books at all. While reading the classic stories now, they definitely feel just like the videos and the art nicely fits in, a wonderful collection 🎩 (Grade: A).

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was read over and over and over again, until the pages and covers fell apart. Still, it was kept under the arm and taken to every friend's house son #2 ever had growing up. He could not have loved these books any more....they are what taught him how to read as a Kindergardener.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

For the record, the kids both enjoyed the stories despite the boredom I myself experienced.

[Meg Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read these to my son. I loved the show as a kid and I hope he likes it too!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing style and language was a little old fashioned for me but my son loves the stories and insists we read this every evening

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit, it was neat to read the original stories. Gives much more depth to Thomas and friends.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic to revist classic stories I remember from the TV with my 3 year old now through reading. Thank you fir capturing these stories and sharing across generations.

[BOBBY WHITEHEAD · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Jonathan Daws]

Great story time book for small children.

[Rory H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book WAS my childhood
Stories still hold up today

[Susan]

Bought from eBay, read with Graham.

[Jennifer Fann-Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memories

[ANCOLUFE · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book is really fantastic

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Thomas the Tank Engine started life as a character in a bedtime story created by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry for his young son, Christopher. This edition is a collection of 56 stories from Reverend Awdry’s hugely popular Railway Series, beautifully illustrated with restored colour artwork.’
This book was absolutely beautiful.
I didn’t know what to expect when I bought this book online. When it arrived I couldn’t get over how beautiful it was. It is a wonderful hard cover book with wonderful illustrations; even the end papers are beautiful.
I loved that this collection featured other characters as well as Thomas. I also loved the layout of this book. Each character had their own section of the book so you didn’t have to go hunting for stories about your favourite character.
Reading this book was like taking a trip through the past. It was fun, sweet and completely nostalgic. I had a new favourite character in every section of this book. Even though it all felt familiar the stories actually felt really fresh. I am wondering how many of these stories I had actually read before I picked up this book. My guess would be not very many.
The illustrations in this book perfectly complimented the wonderful stories. I genuinely think I spent as much time looking at the illustrations as I did actually reading. I loved that the individual illustrators were named at the start of each story rather then in an index at the end.
I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this collection. It was utterly perfect and I believe everyone; both young and old, should have a copy of this amazing book on their bookshelves.
Thomas The Tank Engine: The Classic Collection by The Rev .W. Awdry is a must have for all bookshelves.

Geramie Kate Barker
Gemsbooknook.wordpress.com

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had to give our British friend money each year when she returned to England to stock up on Thomas the Tank Engine swag as these were not readily found in the U.S. when our son was tiny - we spent an indecent amount of money on little trains and books galore - it wasn't all in one book at that time, but little tiny books. I just laughed and laughed when the U.S. versions hit the stores as they called the Fat Controller Sir Topumhat or some such P.C. name.
These are great fun and still never cease to make me smile when I look at my son's well-loved train collection in its little wall frame. A childhood delight. Personally, I liked James and Percy as well. Gordon was a poopy wet blanket. In fact, for one birthday, I made special handmade paper and wrote a letter from Thomas to our son. It was better than Christmas for the effect! Ah, those days were golden!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son's name is Thomas, and his daddy is into model trains, so that I would initially buy this book is a given. What surprised and delighted me is how different these tales are from those based on the PBS Thomas series. All the wit, charm and sense of place have been stripped from the original telling, and all that remains of the based-on books are stories about a blue train.

We began reading a story a night from this collection when our Thomas was about three months old. They are on the longish side, so I kept watching for squirming. There was none. I'm not sure if it was the engaging illustrations, or the apropos sound effects, or both, that held his interest, but his interest was held and we've already read through all these stories twice.