Reviews (3)

Very informative
After reading this book, our 3 year old can name every type of rail car. We live near a busy line and he is quite fond of calling out the types of cars he sees.

Geat for new reader
5 year old boys love this book and since they won't get bored, it helps them learn to read.

An exceptional train book for youngsters
My 3 year old, like many others his age, is obsessed with trains. We regularly go to the library to check out books about trains. We found this one on a recent visit, and it stands heads and shoulders above many of the others I've seen because it is a great balance between the picture books that preschoolers and older children love and non-fiction books that can sometimes be too detailed for children.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Juvenile Nonfiction    4. Juvenile Transportation    5. Juvenile literature    6. Railroads    7. Simon, Seymour    8. Trains    9. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Transportation / Railroads & Trains   

Reviews (2)

Percy's Chocolate Crunch and Other Thomas Stories
My 2 year old grandson loves this book.I especially like that the video set I ordered has the Chocolate Crunch story on it since it is one of his favorites.It is an inexpensive paper covered children's book that you can keep in the car or diaper bag for easy, portable entertainment.

A Sweet Treat of a Book!
My son is a huge Thomas and Friends fan and has developed quite an interest in reading over the past year.Therefore, it's perfect for him to have a series of books that incorporates his favorite characters and plot lines from the popular television series."Percy's Chocolate Crunch" is a nice addition to his Thomas and Friends book collection.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Fiction    7. Helicopters    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Movie Tie - In    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Railroads    12. Trains    13. Transportation - General    14. Transportation - Trains    15. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Subjects:  1. Children: Babies & Toddlers    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Interactive Adventures    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction / Interactive Adventures    6. Musical books    7. Performing Arts - Music    8. Sound effects books    9. Toy and movable books    10. Transportation - General    11. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    12. Transportation - Trains    13. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Movie Tie - In    6. Social Issues - General    7. Transportation - General    8. Transportation - Trains    9. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (11)

Original Version Better
I read Tootle as a child and to my own children since the early 1990s and through to today with my 2 year old.I have the current version and a pristine 1945 edition.The original had more artwork and was a longer story.Given that it is one of the longer Golden Books, I can understand why it was edited, but I do wish that some of the wonderful artwork had been kept.It is a great story with a great lesson.

Can't grow themselves
A wonderful classic, with a very necessary lesson:left to their own devices, our precious children are not capable of raising themselves.Hands-off, permissive parenting has a history of producing irresponsible, self-centered children.Obedience, respect, responsibility and the ability to make right decisions don't come naturally to any child.In the end, Tootle learns the right response, due to the intentional involvement of people who care enough to discipline him.Order a whole case of these for all new parents!!!

Poor Tootle!
I usually love the classic Little Golden Books, but this one is unfortunately a stinker, both because it is wordy and not good at holding a child's attention and also because the overarching theme of the book is quite depressing.All Tootle wants to do is frisk and frolic in the meadow; however, he is forced to "stay on the rails no matter what."Although I understand and support learning a good lesson about staying on task, I found this book to have quite an unsettling and negative message about conformity.For a vehicle-loving little boy, I would recommend The Fire Engine Book or The Little Red Caboose over Tootle.Poor Tootle. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. School & Education    5. Social Issues - Values    6. Social Situations - Values    7. Transportation - Trains    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

It's one of childhood's most time-honored pursuits: counting cars whilewaiting at a train crossing. Celebrated poet Philip Booth has captured itsappeal and unmistakable cadence with precision and wit, backed by the vibrant,nostalgic illustrations of Moscow-trained first-timer Bagram Ibatoulline.Read more

Reviews (10)

Amazing illustrations!
I was so sad to see someone describe this book as "boring"!The incredible illustrations spark the imagination.My son loves the boys who can suddenly see each other over the short gondola car, the page where the children bend down and wave to each other under the train, the woman who makes the "ohmygoodness" face at the cow leaning out of the cattle car...we love this book because there is something to talk about on every page.It's our favorite bedtime story.

Fabulous illustrations...
My 4 year old son and I stumbled across this book in the library and I immediately knew we had to have our own copy.The poem that constitutes the text of this book is simple and timeless.The illustrations are breathtaking.Each painting depicts the same train at the crossing, the various townspeople waiting at the crossing and the contents of the freight cars.My son loves inventing 'conversations' between the people waiting for the train to pass.A lovely book that is a nice addition to any child's library.

Gorgeous!!
This book arrived in the mail today and since the moment we opened the envelope, my four year old son WILL NOT put it down. I personally loved that it didn't have a "story". It was just like sitting and waiting for the train to go by while you are in your car...one of my sons' most anticipated experiences. He is fascinated with what each type of car is actually called and he loves how big and detailed each drawing is. There are huge drawings of the cows in the cattle car and the coal cars and the pipes. I personally love that there is no lettering on the front cover, just a giant picture of the black engine. LOVE IT!! I highly recommend to any mother of a train lovin kid. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children's poetry, American    3. Children: Preschool    4. Crossings    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Juvenile poetry    7. Poetry    8. Poetry - General    9. Railroads    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Trains    12. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    13. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation    14. Motor cars    15. Picture books    16. Trains & railways   

Reviews (16)

My 2 year old loves it!
My son loves this book, and constantly brings it to me to read.It's such a simple book, I think he can understand it easily.I'm guessing before too long, he's going to be able to almost read it on his own.I think it's a great book for beginning readers.I'm not very concerned about the message that it sends, I see it as an entertaining Thomas story.I just don't see it as a negative book.

Donald Trump authors childrens book
Great pictures, but did Donald Trump write the story line?The books ends with a smug Thomas exclaiming "I am first and you are last!"

Go Thomas Go!
This is a train book.Most importantly it is a Thomas the Tank Engine book and to a 3 year old's eyes, nothing is as exciting as a race between two of his steamy friends:little Thomas and mighty Gordon.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Babies & Toddlers    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Railroads    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Trains    13. Transportation - Trains    14. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (8)

Down at the Docks
This is another wonderful Thomas & Friends storybook.My son adores it and gets very excited to see the Octopus and Shark.When actually playing with his trains he would replicate the wrecks.Highly recommend this book to all kids who love Thomas.My son is 2 1/2 and asks us to read it every night.

A Very Nice Thomas Adventure - a review of "Down at the Docks"
What fun!A big aquarium exhibit is coming to Tidmouth and the docks are hustling and bustling with activity.Cranky the Crane is unloading Bulstrode.Harvey is loading small crates of aquarium glass, while James and Salty are busy with their own tasks.
Big Favorite
My 2.5 year old loves this big, colorful Thomas story.He studies the illustrations and talks about what all the trains and cranes are doing.Really fuels his imagination! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. England    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Movie Tie - In    8. Preschool Picture Story Books    9. Railroads    10. Trains    11. Transportation - General    12. Transportation - Trains    13. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (1)

Beautiful!
This book has replaced "Thomas and the Shooting Star" (also illustrated by Tommy Stubbs) as the most beautifully illustrated Thomas book. The illustrations are so lifelike and have such depth to them they make "...Shooting Star" look blurry in comparison.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Christmas    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    8. Holidays & Festivals - Christmas    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Movie Tie - In    11. Railroads    12. Science & Nature - Astronomy    13. Trains    14. Transportation - Trains    15. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (10)

Silly Fun
My son and I love this book.The illustrations are wonderfully fun and colorful.If you follow the natural meter of the verse when you read it aloud, you can actually give your child a sense of rhythm.I just love reading it to the beat of the text.

So So
I hate to go against most of the other reviews but I wasn't all that excited by this one.My daughters who like trains weren't either. OK, But not really for train freaks
I was hoping for something to placate the train lust of my two year old. This is really about the hubbub ON a train. But it doesn't really capture my little train freak's attention. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Concepts - Senses & Sensation    7. Fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Noise    11. Railroads    12. Trains    13. Transportation - General    14. Transportation - Trains    15. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Concepts - General    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    6. Juvenile Nonfiction / Transportation / Railroads & Trains   

Reviews (1)

Really cute idea...
This is a cute book. There are 4 pages of stickers. If you remove the cover from the inside pages, you can use the scene on it with the stickers to create various train scenes...and then change them asdesired. Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Transportation - Trains    6. Juvenile Nonfiction / Activity Books    7. Sticker & stamp books    8. Trains & railways   

Reviews (3)

Best Thomas books - particulary for young kids
My older son is a huge Thomas fan, and had me read him "Thomas the Tank Engine's Big Blue Treasury" every night for weeks when I bought it. My second son (2 years old) also now adores this book and never tires of the story. Unlike some of the "classic" stories, these are very pleasant and great for small children, as well as for early readers. The books also have bigger and brighter illustrations than many Thomas books, and with 3 stories in one book you get good value. If you have kids between 18 months and 7 or 8 years old, this book is a winner (all of this applies equally to the Big Yellow Treasury - the two favorites out of the 30 plus Thomas books the boys have).

You can't always rely on reviews!
My 20 month old son makes us read this book every night before bedtime.He loves the stories, bland though they may be....I think they're charming, simple stories without being babyish.I have no problem with the nastiness that is present in other Thomas books missing from these stories.My son doesn't need to be exposed to that at his age.The colorful illustrations match well to the text.

Easy to read
I bought this book for my son who just learned to read. He loves it because the pictures are colorful with not too many words (circa 20-30 per page). Most of all, he is a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Railroads    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Trains    10. Transportation - General    11. Transportation - Trains    12. Baby books    13. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (3)

Three Classic Thomas Stories
It is interesting that different people have different takes on the same stories.Unlike the previous reviewer (below) I really liked this book.(And of course, my son loves it.)
Promotes Harrassment and Rudeness
James and the Red Balloon and Other Thomas the Tank Engine Stories includes 3 stories and two color punch-out postcards. Color photographs (stills from the videos) are featured throughout the book.
Careful
Be careful when looking for Thomas books.There are many different formats. Picturebacks(Read to Me series) and there is a Pictureback READER which are quite different. (See Cranky Day review)There is also The Big Blue Treasury which is different still.It has more words than the reader, but just as big of pictures and no where near the text of the Read to Me series.Amazon doesn't always have them listed as Read to Me, so check for the triangle at the top of the book cover. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Fiction    5. Interpersonal relations    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Movie Tie - In    8. People & Places - United States - Other    9. Railroads    10. Trains    11. Transportation - Trains    12. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Reviews (2)

Great city-themed book
Wonderful illustrations with lots of color and movement match a story with just enough detail and length to capture a young child's attention. This book was clearly written with a child in mind, but will hold a parent's attention as well, and although it says NYC to me, my child has been on our own city's street cars enough to relate. A great early picture book.

My daughter's favorite
My daughter is 22 months and this is now her favorite book.The pictures are delightful and the text has a simple and catchy rhyme.She "reads" along by joining in on the last two lines of every stanza.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    6. Preschool Picture Story Books    7. Stories in rhyme    8. Subways    9. Transportation - General    10. Transportation - Trains    11. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation    12. Picture books   

Reviews (8)

Short, but sweet
As other reviewers have stated, the text is very short.It does not work well as a read-aloud bedtime story because the whole point of the book is the pictures.You have to look at the pictures, spending as much time as the child wants on the pictures.It's then you can notice all the details and the pure fun of this book.My 2-year-old loves it, my 6-year-old loves it, my 5-year-old gets bored with it very quickly.
dinosaur train
excellent combonation about trains and dinosaurs and imagination.this is an excellent book about a little boy, jesse, who loves trains and dinosaurs so much. one night, right before bed, his imagination takes him on a train ride with dinosaurs.it's jesse's dream come true!!excellent book for a train or dinosaur lover of all ages.

Dinosaur Train
my son loves this book, we are going to paint the cover of the bookon his wall! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Dinosaurs    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Railroads    9. Trains    10. Transportation - Trains    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Dinosaurs   

Reviews (6)

A Crane, A Collapse, And A Complete Mess
Three stories, Cranky Bugs, Put-Upon Percy, and Lady Hatt's Birthday.These are in keeping with the television show, but not the original stories by Reverend Awdry.For instance you will notice references to Sir Topham Hatt as he is known on television (in the books he is The Fat Controller).
You'll be cranky!
Please don't confuse this Read To Me series with other Thomas the Tank books.For instance, Catch me, Catch me is called a Pictureback Reader, and although it is meant for 4 or 5 year olds to learn how to read, my 21 month old loves it--the extremely simple text is all her attention span can take.The Cranky Day, however, has a lot of writing and is meant for the longer attention spans of 3 or 4 plus year olds.I don't like the tiny photos for pictures where the text takes up just as much room as the photos, and I agree with another reviewer that the photos are dark.The full page drawings in Catch Me Catch Me are much better, as are the simplistic drawings in Thomas the Tank Engines Big Blue Treasury. Depends upon the age of the child I guess, when it comes to selecting Thomas books!

Story needs editing
While my three year old son recognizes his favorite Thomas characters, this book is poorly written and edited. The first story, "Cranky Bugs" is especially annoying because little sensitivity was used to match the pictures with the text. It is bad enough that the text is taken straight from the video tape, but some editing would greatly improve the stories. How sad that the Britt Allcroft empire has reduced the original, wonderful stories from Rev. Awdry to such rubbish. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Preschool    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Railroads    10. Short stories    11. Trains    12. Transportation - Trains    13. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (2)

Best for little Thomas fans
The minute I gave this book to my 2 year old her eyes just lit up!! This is her favorite book so far and she has soo many. She loves lifting all the little flaps and turning the pages back and forth. She can't go to bed without it!

Great fun, over 55 flaps for toddlers to discover
My two year old son loves this book.The huge format and cardboard pages are great for toddlers. There are five two-page layouts, each with at least ten flaps each. The flaps are high-quality, two-sided, and are well-attached to endure toddler play. Scene one: Thomas, Annie and Claribel at the station. Scene two: Edward at a fair. Scene three: Percy and the troublesome trucks trying to deliver mail. Scene four: Mavis at the rock quarry [hey, you get to explain rock quarries!]. Scene five: Harold the Helicopter and three different train characters. Old fashioned, tactile fun for toddlers who love Thomas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Railroads    6. Social Issues - Friendship    7. Specimens    8. Toy and movable books    9. Trains    10. Transportation - General    11. Transportation - Trains    12. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. Human behavior    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Movie Tie - In    7. Railroads    8. Trains    9. Transportation - General    10. Transportation - Trains    11. Juvenile Fiction / Transportation   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Channel Tunnel (England and Fr    3. Channel Tunnel (England and France)    4. Children's 12-Up - Technology    5. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    6. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    7. Engineering - Civil    8. History - Europe    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Transportation (Young Adult)    12. Transportation - Railroads & Trains    13. Humanities