Thomas the Tank Engine: the Thomas Collection

by W. Awdry

This book allows fans of Thomas to rediscover the original classic stories about the world's best-loved tank engine. In this sixty-fifth anniversary year, Thomas and his friends remain as popular as ever, loved by millions all over the world; the original "Railway Series" books continue to delight children of all ages. This new anniversary edition includes the four original Thomas stories, with the engines beautifully brought to life by new reproductions of C. Reginald Dalby's illustrations. Plus, eight pages of exclusive material give an insight into the creation of the famous "Railway Series".

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

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

[Kalabe Sebsibe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really interesting and I loved every part (since I have heard the stories contained in this book many times). Now, I have always wanted to read this book since I am a Thomas Fan myself. But the feeling of actually seeing and reading the book was phenomenal. I also adored the little antics Thomas The Tank Engine would get into, and how it ended up. Overall, I loved this book, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A childhood favorite, I received this a a Birthday gift from my Grandparents, and it's still in my collection.

I love the stories, though the format by characters and not chronological is a little annoying, it still holds a special place in my heart.

[Brianna Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok for a is book.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never liked Thomas the Tank Engine. This is a long-standing dislike, since my high-school babysitting days. My first encounter was through videos while sitting, and I found all the engines to be grouchy and difficult to like. When I got my first library job and found out that they were all morality tales, I just decided that that was why none of the characters were likable and wrote off the series.

Now, of course, I have children. They have Thomas Toys (which I don't mind so much). They like to check out Thomas videos from the library (which I allow, in carefully rationed amounts...and I'm usually cooking dinner while they play, so I can avoid most of them). They like to check out Thomas books from the library. This last week, however, was the first time that we found and checked out an actual Thomas story collection by Rev. Awdry himself. And having now actually read the stories (yes, librarian friends, shake your fingers at me for not doing so sooner or for writing the series off)...they're not so bad. They are morality tales, yes, but Thomas does seem to (slowly) learn from his mistakes and become a more endearing character as the stories go on.

So, it will never be a favorite, but they're not bad. And with all the train vocabulary, I can see why kids love them.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a child care provider for many years, I was surpised that I have never read the first book in the Thomas the Tank engine series. I finally picked it up to meet the goal of reading all "1001 Children's books you must read before you grow up."

I really like these stories. They are not for every child, but the children who do like them are fanatical. The stories are calm, warm, and have a moral. The characters make mistakes and then learn from them. The vocabulary is strangely oldfashioned, but still appropriate.

I think I will forever love this series for introducing the word "cross" into the pre-school vocabulary. Cross as in: "Thomas was being cheeky and that made Gordon cross."

I appreciate that this book is divided into short little chapters. It makes for good night time reading. Each little chapter takes a few minutes to read. The stories are calm and have a satisfying resolution.

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally, I think Thomas has a bit of an attitude problem. However, I know young children love him. My niece does. This book has 4 short stories about Thomas and some of the other engines.

[Amos White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another soon to be classic like "The Little Engine That Could," The Reverend Audry tells vivid stories of the beloved tank engines of the Island of Sodor.

Although some parents voice a strong dislike for the engine's "creepy eyes" and the authoritarian messages and ordered cultural structure as commanded by Sir Topham Hat and evidenced in the pecking order of the engines, I find this book series to be emblematic of the geographic place and times which inspired it.

A great read for boys and girls ages 2 to 6.

[Katie K · Rating 4 out of 5]

My little brother LOVED Thomas the Train growing up, so I was exposed to my fair share of the madness. I really like this book though, and the rest of the Railway Series - it really sparks a lot of imagination in little children's brains. A whole world of talking trains, my oh my! And not even that, but it teaches valuable lessons in an entertaining way. I hope that I have a son (or daughter) who gets into Thomas like my brother did, so that I can share this brilliant world with him or her.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas is the main character in the railway series that takes place on the fictional island of Sodor. The trains in the stories all have humanistic characteristics. Thomas ever curious and impulsive, often finds himself getting into trouble. The great thing about these short stories is that they all emphasize different values, whether it’s hard work or friendship or responsibility. There’s something to be learned from each book.

My son had a collection of engines that he used to play out the lessons he gleaned from the books. I think that says it all.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is four of the original stories of Thomas. They aren't like the modern day stories so a little one may feel it's not the same. But they are very good and fun to read. I read them out loud to my adult special needs son and we enjoyed them just as much the second time around as we did a couple of years ago.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your child loves Thomas then he/she will love these classics, but they can have a few too many words if they aren't the easy reader version, so aren't great for short attention spans of the very young.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas the Tank is such a beloved character, but I must admit these original stories didn't live up to expectations. The stories are not bad by any means, but I can't quite put my finger on why they fell a little flat for me.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains four Thomas stories as originally written by Rev. W. Audrey. It has an old fashioned and British feel to it.

[Esther Hong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sprightly!

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just can't get in to the books...