Image: Golden Books (Penguin Random House) · source
Golden Books · Budget
A 24-page hardcover Little Golden Book credited to Rev. W. Awdry that captures the Thomas the Tank Engine DVD Hero of the Rails, listed by its publisher for ages 2 to 5.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
The publisher's description says the book captures the fun, friendship and adventure of the Thomas the Tank Engine DVD Hero of the Rails. In the story, Thomas discovers a long-lost engine and tries to save him from the scrap yard by repairing him in secret, until the meddlesome engine Spencer gets involved. The author note on the page explains where the character comes from: Rev. W. Awdry made up stories to go with a small blue wooden engine that he crafted for his son Christopher. The publisher files the book under Children's Media Tie-In Books and Children's Picture Books, and shows it as part of the Little Golden Book line.
This is a bedtime or lap-reading book for the home, not a trackside companion. The publisher gives a hardcover of 24 pages, a size listed as 6-5/8 x 8, an age range of 2 to 5 years and a grade level of up to Kindergarten. The publisher's page offers a Look Inside preview, so a parent can check the pages first. Because it is a tie-in to the DVD, the story it tells is the DVD's story. The publisher credits the illustrations to Golden Books.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Genre | Children's Media Tie-In Books |
| Grade | Up to Kindergarten |
| Pages | 24 |
| Author | Rev. W. Awdry |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Series | Little Golden Book |
| ISBN-13 | 9780375859502 |
| Age range | 2-5 years |
| Publisher | Golden Books |
| Dimensions (as listed, units not stated) | 6-5/8 x 8 |
A parent, grandparent or relative buying a short Thomas & Friends story for a child between two and five, particularly one who already knows the characters from the DVD. It also suits a family that collects Little Golden Books. A buyer who wants a book about real trains rather than a character story should consider the alternatives below.
My Little Golden Book About Trains by Dennis R. Shealy is a 24-page nonfiction Little Golden Book that, according to its publisher, covers passenger, freight, subway, elevated and bullet trains, which suits a child who wants facts over a plot. The Little Train by Lois Lenski, a 32-page board book for ages 0 to 3, follows a small train from Tinytown to the city and suits a younger child.
Image: National Geographic (Penguin Random House) · source
National Geographic · Mid-range
A National Geographic hardcover that profiles 100 railway journeys around the world, with notes on when and where to go, which cabins to book and what to see off the train.
Image: Lorenz Books / Simon & Schuster · source
Lorenz Books · Mid-range
A hardcover guide to the golden age of train engines by Colin Garratt, with 700 photographs covering the first designs to modern high-speed trains.
Image: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers · source
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers · Budget
A board book by Kevin Lewis, with pictures by Daniel Kirk, that follows a busy toy steam locomotive through a playroom from sunrise until all its freight has been delivered.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we pick our gear
Compare all railway books.
