A Crack in the Track

My youngest daughter, age 2.5, LOVES this book! We checked it out from the library several times and she would read it many times a day, so for Christmas we bought her a copy of her own. The rhymes are simple and the story entertaining. After this many repetitions, she can "read" the book on her own -- she is so excited to be able to read a book to us, since she knows all of the words on all of the pages. When she plays outside on the sidewalk, she often finds "a crack in the track," and will entertain herself by pretending to be the engines who can't move forward or back because of the crack in the track. The illustrations are lovely as well -- sometimes she studies the pictures in detail, enjoying the scenery. For a little one who enjoys rhymes and trains, this book is fantastic!

"Suddenly, Thomas' driver saw trouble ahead. `Slow down!' said the driver." -From the book In this rhyming adventure, a huge thunderstorm hits the Island of Sodor, and hail from the storm creates a crack in the track-bringing the entire Railway to a screeching halt. Thomas was carrying many passengers, but the crack in the track forces them to get off the train. Bertie the Bus eventually comes to the rescue, but a toad in the road requires the passengers to unload. "What will happen to us?" the people ask. Percy, Gordon, and James get stuck behind Thomas, and the Troublesome Trucks refuse to back up. Will the passengers ever get to their destination? Unlike many Thomas the Tank Engine stories, especially the ones geared to older children, there is no taunting or rudeness among the engines. Everyone cooperates and helps each other (except for the Troublesome Trucks!). A Crack in the Track is a hardcover The Cat in the Hat Beginner Book (a division of Random House, Inc.)

This book is just excellent. It is very well written, no name calling this time, and just an easy rhyming book. Thomas learns that he cannot do anything unless he has a good track on which to run, but his other friends like Bertie the Bus also learn that they cannot do just anything at all as well. Thomas gets stuck by a crack in the track after a hailstorm, and Bertie gets stuck by a toad in the road! However, when the passengers walk to the next train station, all the trains are gone because they've all left and become stuck behind Thomas. James is last and has those bad freight cars with him so he cannot back up and let everyone out. Guess they don't have radios in the trains! However, the road crew come by and repair the track in the pouring rain, and the trains are able to get through once more. Thomas then returns to the station after Harold takes the passengers there and Thomas takes them to their destination. It's a very well written story and I particularly appreciated the much improved illustrations in this book. They're more life-like instead of appearing like statues in the video series. My little one just loves this book and it definitely has become a favorite for bedtime. Believe me, it doesn't take long for a three-year-old to be able to recite it back too! Great job!

I would recommend this book to anyone whose child is a fan of Thomas the Train. My son just turned 4 and this is one of the first books that he has been able to read back to me. There are many passenges in the book that rhyme and this seems to really hold his attention. It is not so long that a tired parent would be unwilling to read it as a bed time story. I would have to say this book is probably my child's favorite.

My son has loved Thomas the tank engine trains, stories, and videos since he was 2.5yrs old. We've progressed from simple board books to more complicated story lines. Since we purchased this book, he has wanted me to read it to him every night. I like the fact that the words are large enough so that we can start word identification, and the story is interesting as well! Also, all the popular engines are illustrated in full color and their numbers are evident for both color and number recognition. I want to know where we can buy more Dr Seuss beginner books with Thomas the Tank engine stories! Additionally, there are some adorable rhymes in this volume that are reminiscent of Dr Seuss.