Thomas the Tank Engine: the Complete Collection - Rev. W. Awdry

The Revd Wilbert Vere Awdry was born on June 15th 1911 at Romsey in Hampshire. He lived as a child near the main Great Western line from Paddington to Bristol at Box, Wiltshire, where he developed his love of steam engines by listening to them at night and imagining that they were talking to one another. In 1942 he made up stories for his 2 year old son, Christopher, who was unwell with the measles. He later pointed out that he had to eventually write the details down because he would never be forgiven should he even get the slightest thing wrong. Eventually the first book was published in 1945, and this was to prove to be the first of a series of twenty-six ...  Read the complete review

When 'The Railway Series' was written for his children, The Rev W Awdry could never of perceived the classic series of stories he had created. Thomas, the cheeky blue engine, has fascinated boys and girls of all ages for many years, with his appealing grin and mischievous adventures. These books introduce children to a long-gone age of steam with the engines smiling out of the pages with their faces on the front of each character. The individual engines and for that matter other vehicles develop their own personalities, idiosyncrasies and their place in Sodor history. Gordon, the big engines that pull the express coaches, and Percy, the mischievous ...  Read the complete review

These are some of the most enduring children’s stories that have been written, as although the first book was written 55 years ago they are still popular. For me the one thing that makes the stories is the artwork as the quality of it is only occasionally seen in modern children’s books. The stories are well written and any kid who loves these as much as I did will know their favourite off by heart. There are many stories about all the engines, but due to his TV, and now film, exposure most kids will have heard of Thomas. This book contains all the 26 stories that where written by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry, but although his son has continued the tradition ...  Read the complete review

The best value Thomas the Tank Engine book that I've found its a collection of 25 stories, made from five of the original books. You get a reasonable selection of the most well known books: Thomas the Tank Engine, Tank Engine Thomas Again etc. The title of my copy is "Thomas the Tank Engine". Its a 100 page A4 hardback book (ISBN 0 603 56015 6) with colour pictures and it cost £3.95 in a local bookshop, marked down from £9.95. Searching for the ISBN number gives a title of "A Thomas treasury: 25 of the best". Tescos sell it for £4.99 plus £2.50 postage from http://195.89.185.111/tesco_a/display.asp?K=182831495323697 ...  Read the complete review