The Close Shave

Thomas and Friends

by W. Awdry (Creator), Richard Courtney (Illustrations)

THOMAS’ FRIEND DUCK likes to be Really Useful and Right on Time. One day, some Troublesome Trucks start pushing and they will not stop, and a station is just ahead! Duck works himself into a lather trying to brake in time, but ends up crashing into the station’s barber shop.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Trains, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 1991

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

[Rebekah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why would a train track end right at a building instead of beside it, with a platform? And why does the barber slather Duck with shaving cream after the engine crashes through into the barber shop?

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Close Shave is an obvious choice for early readers who are fans of Thomas the Train. The hardest word in the book is "troublesome" which is only used once. Readers get to see how three troublemakers cause problems for Thomas, an engine named Duck, and a barber shop. So there's a little moral to the story which I always appreciate. The Troublesome Trucks are mean and cause problems. Duck is a hero and saves the day by thinking of others.

My seven-year-old isn't a Thomas fan exactly, but he did enjoy this book and read it willingly without any fuss. He did stumble on the word "troublesome" as I mentioned above. I do wish it had been used more than once to build up mastery and recognition. The main repetitive words were names, and so there weren't any repetitive phrases. Sometimes I appreciate repetitive phrases so that the child really begins to recognize and memorize those words. Other times, it's really nice from an adult reader perspective not to have the same phrases sprinkled throughout the book.

The Close Shave gets 4.5 Stars for being a good early reader, but also having a moral to the short story. Have you read The Close Shave? What did you think? Let me know!

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This particular Thomas the Tank Engine story felt very random. 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.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the easier beginner readers.
I enjoy the longer versions of Thomas stories since they are better written and more detailed. This book is a fun resource for children that are just starting to read and know the basics.

[Holden Loss · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was not good right now, but it will be good later.

[Janna · Rating 4 out of 5]

That barber is a beast. How often are engines nearly killing him, that he's so calm?

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a bit silly.

[~☆°♡ Kat Gibson ♡°☆~]

me letting disasters into my life

[Mya]

This time (26 Jan 2017) you read it to me.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever there is a choice between any book and a book featuring Thomas the Tank engine the later always wins. We love making faces as similar as possible to those the trains make. I get a little ruffled having to see advertisements for other products in the Thomas series books however they are enjoyable stories and there isn't too much harm done.

[Janna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple language, good for a beginning reader.

Readalike titles:

Old, New, Red, Blue! (Step into Reading) (Cars movie tie in)
National Geographic Readers: Trains
Trains! (Step into Reading)

Readalike authors:

Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Jon Scieszka

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas and his friend Duck are friends they are not friends with the troublesome trucks. This book is a great 'opposite' book and one to teach what is the right and wrong way to treat a friend. Basic words will make for an easy beginning reader.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas the Train attempt at humor--close shave is a play on words at the troublesome trucks cause Duck to run into a barber shop.

[Meghan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Barely a coherent story.

[Katie]

II

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

learning how to ignore teasing

[Sarah-may · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool easy to read story for Mr 8