Trains and Railroads Books

HUCK SCARRY IS RICHARD SCARRY'S SON. He pays extraordinary attention to detail in drawing real trains from throughout the world, while providing the kind of silly entertainment his father was famous for. This book is loved by children and adults.

This is a very good, imaginative book written for children, especially boys. It contains details that capture the child's attention. My son pored over this book for hours at a time when he was small. The intricacies of the illustrations hide many hints and mysteries. It was a joy to read to my son. In fact, though we checked it out from the library, we never took it back. I paid for it instead because it was out of print and I couldn't find a copy of it to purchase.

This book is a hit with my three-and-a-half-year old. Not only are the four stories interesting enough to hold his attention, but the ample illustrations are charming. Also, the relatively small size of the book makes it perfect for small hands to hold when the child "reads" it to himself. The stories are sweet without being cloying. The language is fairly sophisticated (in other words, the book doesn't talk down to kids, which is great), but accessible. The stories have kind of an old-fashioned feel, -- after all, we are talking about steam engines -- but their upbeat messages are just as relevant for kids today. For instance, Thomas learns how to work with others and how NOT to "judge a book by its cover". This book will probably be a favorite in our house for some years to come!

When my 3-yr old takes an interest in something, it usually becomes an all-out obsession: dinosaurs, construction vehicles, space and so it continues with Thomas the Tank Engine. We've read other books and rented videos, but these books (there are four in this series) are his beloved. The stories are simple and plentiful with a bit of a moral to them, without being pretentious or zealous. The writing style is delightful: adult enough not to bore the reader and yet perfectly understandable for the listener (assuming it's a child!). The pictures are clear but not movie or television tie-ins - it makes them more lovable! The books are small and my son loves to stack them and carry them around with him.

If your child loves Thomas and you're tired of media tie-ins, these books are for you!

My three year old picks this one out a lot. Lays his head on my lap and dreams

It's a quick `good morning Percy' and Thomas is off in this two-part story about his busy day. In the first part of the boardbook ("On the track...") Thomas scurries about with his coaches, Annie and Clarabel, until it is time to go to the quarry where he helps Mavis and Toby with some Troublesome Trucks.

In the second book ("There and back again") Thomas is off to the mountains and down to the harbor hauling freight. Along the way he sees Bertie and (...) (who is in the background). Then, errands done, we are told Thomas is off to get a bath before going to bed. The last two pages show James and Thomas falling asleep in the sheds.

Though the book is oddly divided into two different stories (you have to turn the book over to continue with the second book) it only slows down the read slightly. With colorful, friendly pictures this a good choice for younger Thomas enthusiasts (baby to 2½ years of age).

Note: for slightly older Thomas fans the "Railway Series Boxed Set (Railway)" collection is nice. ISBN 0375827439

This is such a darling book. It's a big day for the railway - they've opened a new bridge in the mountains that is so high that "you can't even seen the valley below." Henry, Thomas and Gordon have been selected to take passengers up to the mountains. However, Henry is scared half to death to do it and by the time they get up there, he's convinced Thomas that he should be afraid too. Gordon just buzzes right along and has a great old time while the other two are left to themselves to cross the bridge. Henry tells Thomas to close his eyes so that he won't see anything scary and when he does, Thomas almost goes off the track! He finally opens his eyes when he hears Harold coming to save him and when he does, realizes how beautiful the scenery really is and then goes across the bridge very happily. He also convinces Henry that there's nothing to fear and he crosses as well.

This is such a cute story and a great one to teach children not to be afraid to try new things. Highly recommend! By the way, we found a copy of this at a local walmart if amazon is out of stock still..

"It was a special day for the railway! `We are here to launch the new rail line through the Mountains of Sodor', Sir Topham Hatt announced. `Today we open the big, big bridge!' What wonderful news! Everyone cheered. The mountains were beautiful. The people of Sodor couldn't wait to visit them." -From the book

Thomas and the Big, Big Bridge is a Little Golden Book (hardcover) that tells the story of a new bridge spanning the mountains of Sodor. Henry is especially nervous, for it is very windy up on the mountains-and he's afraid of heights! Sir Topham Hatt sends out Gordon, Henry, Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel for the maiden voyage, and people cheer as they make their way to the bridge. However, Henry's fear is contagious, and Thomas closes his eyes up on the bridge. Because he wasn't looking where he was going, his wheels come off the track. How will Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel get off the mountain?

This delightful book is beautifully illustrated, and shows children that sometimes our fear can get us intro trouble-and cause us to miss out on the beautiful aspects of the experience and even our surroundings. Cooperation and encouraging others is also highlighted in this book.

I read this book on my Best of Thomas DVD with and without narration, and I feel like getting this book. I also like to get Thomas tells a lie, and Hooray For Thomas. Percy had seen a dinosaur. He thinks it was a dragon. Thomas goes out. He tells Percy. He goes back to the forest. He doesn't know until the driver said it was a dinosaur model for the new dinosaur park. Harold comes and lifts the model on the flat truck. Men fasten it. Percy sees it. Thomas tells him "Don't worry Percy, this isn't a dragon. This is a dinosaur model for the new dinosaur park." He passes the school, and the children waved. He gets three cheers from Sir Topham Hatt and all the people who are desining the park and his driver, fireman, and conductor.

This is my son's favorite Thomas the Tank Engine story because it is written at his level. The Jellybean Books are written for younger children and this story is very engaging and involves a dinosaur, a subject close to the hearts of many youngsters. This is the perfect book for any young Thomas the Tank Engine fan.

We have quite a few of these books and my son, who is now 6, still loves reading his Thomas books.

This new Thomas & Friends story adds to a great tradition and is a perfect complement to the DVD of the same name. The illustrations are rich and engaging and the story is fast-paced and well told. The book itself is beautifully made, with a fully illustrated jacket over the illustrated hard cover. It's the perfect size to read to younger children, or for older children to pick up on their own.

If you have the DVD, this will be a great companion. If you don't, the book stands well on its own! This book is a must-have for Thomas fans and a great introduction for new readers.

Thomas the Tank Engine begins a lovely morning by saying , "hello", to everyone when he passes by a very cross Policeman, who is very tired and cranky. He insists that Thomas is to wear his Cowcatcher. However, when Sir Topham Hatt hears the grief, he employs and assigns Toby the Tram to this line. Sir Topham Hatt believes in Thomas and finds him a hardworking, respectable engine and doesn't make him wear the cowcatcher. Yet by acquiring Tobey, the work gets done on the line. Most of all Thomas, whom everyone thinks has broken the rules, has really obeyed the controller and made a new friend, Tobey. Now, everyone is happy. Peep! Peep!

Thomas the Tank Engine begins a lovely morning by saying , "hello", to everyone when he passes by a very cross Policeman, who is very tired and cranky. He insists that Thomas is to wear his Cowcatcher. However, when Sir Topham Hatt hears the grief, he employs and assigns Toby the Tram to this line. Sir Topham Hatt believes in Thomas and finds him a hardworking, respectable engine and doesn't make him wear the cowcatcher. Yet by acquiring Tobey, the work gets done on the line. Most of all Thomas, whom everyone thinks has broken the rules, has really obeyed the controller and made a new friend, Tobey. Now, everyone is happy. Peep! Peep!

My 2 1/2 yr-old has been happily listening to stories from this collection for about a year now (from long before he ever saw one of the videos). These are the older stories, and are far better written than the newer books in the series (not written by Awdry), many of which don't make sense unless you've already seen the video. These have a managable number of characters, are fun, and I don't mind reading them dozens of times.

This is a great book at a great price. My sons are Thomas lovers and this is a collection of the original Thomas stories all in one place. I think that there is about 30 stories divided up by the different train stories, Thomas, Percy, Toby, Henry, etc.

my three year old loves this book. percy is his favorite. h e acts out the story

The Milkshake Muddle story is really well told and matches the video very well. We read Thomas stories in spurts so this book is a great addition and adds variety.

A very well illustrated and written narrative of a train ride into the wilderness of Alaska. I am a collector of Alaskana books and was happy to add this to my extensive collection. The author writes of things that children are intersted in: trains, adventure, and the last frontier. Take a ride along the worlds most remote rails from the sprawling metropolis of Anchorage to the remote wilds which fervidly encroach upon its front door. Even if you are not a fan of Alaskana this book will interest all train aficionados, wilderness fans, and watercolor devotees. Rustle up your adventure gear and grab your conductors cap this ride's destination is pure delightful entertainment.

This is a wonderful children's book that gives insightful information on the Alaska Railroad. The watercolors in the book are colorful and vivid as they portray Alaska's beauty in the summer. Two thumbs up!