Thomas the Tank Engine Story Collection (Thomas & Friends Picture Books)

This is an excellent book both from the standpoint of the writing and it is produced in a quality binding that will last for many years. My grandson is only 2 years old, but he is a very big fan of Thomas. As he grows in his ability to read he will be able to view the excellent illustrations and begin to read the accompanying words at his own pace. The book, if properly maintained, should be a good one for him to pass down to his children...it is that well made.

This is a complete collection with original drawings. This includes the little train at the bottom of the page that progresses from left to right as each story progresses. A bonus is a beautiful Island of Sodor map in the inside covers. Many, if not all, of these stories have been animated in the PBS show Thomas and Friends. The originals are really great stories for reading and have some twists such as an early black James and blue Henry.

This book is great! The illustrations and layout are warm and inviting making it easy to see and read. There are so many stories within this book that you really get your money's worth and then some. There is also a built in ribbon placemarker so you don't lose your spot. This must have every Thomas story ever written all in one big hardcover high quality book! We love it. For those who prefer to shelter their children from bad behavior may not like the Thomas stories. I have heard that complaint a lot about Thomas. Personally I think these stories provide a great way to teach our children why these behaviors aren't good in society. Any train who has an undesirable behavior always ends up getting his own in the end and I think that shows children that is doesn't pay to behave in some of the ways the trains do.

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.