Thomas and the School Trip (I Can Read It All By Myself Beginner Books)

In this book tomas is awaiting to take the kids home due to a broke down bus so he is very happy he gets to take these kids home but in the mean while tomas has to run arrons for his boss first he has to make a bunch of stops befor he can return to the train station. So tomas is racing as fast as he can with all his jobs he has to do and trying to get back to the train station befor Henry is ready James is ready and even Sir topham Hatt is ready but tomas says he will hurry so he chugs and chugs he goes up the hill over the bridge through a tunnel and tomas stops at everystation at last his work is done right on time now he has to hurry back. But tomas cant hurry tomas has to wait and wait and wait agin oh no will tomas be late will james or henry take the chirlden home? Oh my now what will come ahead it is bertie the bus he has broken down. But tomas wanted to help his friend but then he though he would be much to late h though stop or go help or hurry what do you think tomas should do but tomas cannot leave his friend behind will you take a passenger asks bertie? Look at last tomas reaches back to the train station it is the hirlden bertie was taking hem home but hten agin hooray for tomas you have saved the day.

We received this book in a book club offer and it was our first experience with Thomas. That said, it's one of our favorites after 4 years of constant reading! The illustrations are SO much better than other books - the children and other characters look more like cartoon drawings instead of the "wooden" figures that you see in the videos. We prefer that in our house quite a bit. Also, the children are so grateful for Thomas picking them up in the end when Bertie breaks down, that one of the little girls gives him a kiss. Thus, sending Thomas into a very cute blush at the end of the story. A very cute story - Ages newborn up to first to second grade. Highly recommend!

What a delightful story. It is one of our new favorites and I think it would make a fine addition to the home sheds of many a young Thomas fan. As the story begins, everyone at the train yard is getting ready. The engines are getting shined up and are waiting... but for what? Why, the local school children are going on an outing. Well, as we know, Thomas loves children and he very much wants to take them on a ride, but he has work to do on his branch line. Sir Topham Hatt tells him, however, that if he finishes his work fast, that he may take the children home. Thomas works hard to accomplish this goal, but is thwarted by fate, sheep and cows. The book builds excitement about whether Thomas will get back in time. "Oh, no! Will Thomas be late? Will James or Henry take the children home?" The climax comes when Thomas is finally free to race home, only to be confronted by the scene of his friend, Bertie, who has broken down. "Thomas wants to help. But then he will be late- much too late. Stop or go. Help or hurry. What should Thomas do?" Well, OF COURSE, Thomas stops to help his friend and it's a good thing he does because Berties' passengers are the very children that Thomas was racing back to see. The pictures in this little book are great. The drawings show Thomas up close and with lots of facial expression. The print is large and clear. (I don't need my spec's. LOL) But... ...Here is where I have to disagree with the publishers. They say that children from `preschoolers to grade 1' should be able to "recognize familiar words and sound out new words with help." I've included some text above so you can judge for yourself if the level is appropriate for your child, but in my opinion this is not at kindergarten level. Five Stars. Great Price. Story and drawings are great, and if your child (like mine) can't read it now, they will be able to in the future.

My 14 month old son is obsessed with this book! We read it so much that I know the story by heart. It is a good length for short attention spans, has nice pictures, easy words and teaches kids about helping others. A great find.

This book is great for kids of all ages -- our 18-month oldloves it. Unlike many of the other Thomas stories, this one doesn'tdeal with unhappy, grumpy trains all the time. It's a "feel good" kind of story with a good moral that can be read to all ages. We're trying to find other Thomas stories that fit this theme, and are having little luck so far...