The Way Little Engines Work

by Chris Oxlade

Perfect for Thomas & Friends enthusiasts, this guidebook is filled with detailed diagrams and explanations of how Thomas the Tank Engine and his engine friends and other pals work. Train-obsessed boys and girls ages 4 to 7 will pore over this hardcover book and its detailed cutaway schematic diagrams that show the working parts of Thomas, Percy, Gordon, Harold the Helicopter, and other beloved Thomas & Friends characters! Simple text explains how to drive an engine, operate train tracks, and much more. Labels and descriptions of the way things work will keep train fans riveted for hours.

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2017

About the author

Chris Oxlade is the best-selling author of more than 150 non-fiction books, most of them explaining complex scientific ideas and modern technology to young readers in readable text.

Reviews

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent blend of Thomas books & non-fiction. It will appeal to both the Thomas fans who aren't quite going to understand all the science but want to memorize everything little detail and those more sophisticated fans who loved Thomas when they were younger but have almost outgrown it. A great lap-sit book.

I would also use this in a storytime paired with some other read-aloud picture books, to add some non-fiction elements, but not to read through. With a large group, I would just pick a page to look at and initiate a conversation, or paraphrase some information as we looked at all the pictures.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Train lovers young and old will find The Way Little Engines Work fascinating. The illustrations were beautifully drawn and brilliant in color. I liked the easy way everything was explained and I liked learning the history of the engines. A great book for learning all about train engines.

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas the Tank Engine fans will really enjoy this book and they will learn some very useful facts as well!

[Jj]

My only question is: WHY did it take so long for someone to write a book like this? Talk about a built-in audience for a nonfiction angle--I am looking forward to reading this and seeing how they put it all together and Thomas-ified all the angles.