James and the Red Balloon and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories

Thomas and Friends

by W. Awdry

Straight from the latest Thomas video comes three delightful new tales from the Island of Sodor. Thomas fans will laugh when James gets carried away about a balloon, Harvey rescues Percy, and Thomas becomes a jet engine! Filled with gentle humor and lots of photo illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Trains, Fiction, Kids

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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

[Rachel Yuska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it aloud to my son. His favourite story is Thomas the Jet Engine.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, the other engines are a bunch of dicks to Harvey because he looks different. And then they accept him when he's "really useful." That's not a good message. I did not like this set.

[Mum Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this to grandB#2 multiple times during the last family visit.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nearly three year old cousin loves Thomas. We have great fun trying to make all of the faces that James makes in this book. We also read Edward's Exploits and had a harder time trying to make the completly scrunched up face. I think we've mastered the perfect "o" surprised face shown on the cover of this book. In case you haven't read other "Thomas" reviews we still have to sing the Thomas the train song before starting each book. Rather silly and highly entertaining at the same time... mainly because he knows the words to the song and I'm still learning them.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has three short stories in one...which in my opinion makes it a great book. Each story has a different 'main' character so they don't get repetitive reading nor does Rev Awdry make one engine better than any of the others although the series is "Thomas the Tank Engine"... I like that fact that all are equal and you never really know who you will be reading about. We always enjoy these stories!

[Sri · Rating 3 out of 5]

James kesal pada pendatang baru, a hot air balloon. A red one! Saingan, pikir James. Bakalan mengambil alih pekerjaanku, batinnya. Tapi kemudian mereka ternyata diminta bekerja sama oleh Pak Pengawas Gendut alias Sir Top Ahead (kata Damar hehe). Perasaan James menjadi berubah. Bahkan sering dia kemudian bermimpi, bisa terbang seperti si balon merah.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the first Thomas books Nathaniel got. It is ok. One definately needs to suspend reality and common sense when one reads Thomas stories. The trains are just not very consistent in their personality and reaction to events or even to each other. But, they are kids stories...

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Frank's favorite of the Thomas books. This book contains James and the Red Balloon, Harvey to the Rescue, and Thomas and the Jet Engine. You can't go wrong with those three stories...

checked out again 02/10/09

[Melissa Namba · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't think this one was as good as the other Thomas books I have read and sent to my nephew. This one is a little more verbose with fewer illustrations. Plus, the lessons learned are only so so. However, fans of Thomas will most likely enjoy it anyway.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very compelling book were thomas finds the real meaning of friends. five star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[michael frosinoxio · Rating 5 out of 5]

i learned that trains can talk and that they are stupid and abusive.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

James and the Red Balloon and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories
Awdry, Wilbert
for thomas the train fans

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The red balloon turns out to be a hot air balloon. My son liked this book!

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been read once per day (or more) for the last month. We'd better like it!!!