Book Review: RWS No.41 Thomas and Victoria (2007)

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THOMAS & VICTORIA

Written by

Christopher Awdry

Illustrated by

Clive Spong

Stories

Overloaded

Avalanche 

Eels on Wheels

Toby's Vintage Train

Release Year

2007

After a ten year hiatus from Christopher Awdry's last book, 'New Little Engine' in 1996, Egmont had released a brand new volume in the Railway Series in 2007. At this time the company were rereleasing the 1-40 books that year with the demand by fans since 2005 on bringing the books back to the shelves, thanks to Sodor Island Fansite (SiF) at the time. So here are my views on the 41st volume of the Railway Series books.

OVERLOADED

The story revolves around Toby and Henrietta taking the workmen to the quarry and the dangers of people standing in open end railway carriages. The story also tells kids that for every problem there's always a solution and that was in Thomas' part when they discovered Victoria at the station by the river. Plus this is the first and only time in the books we see Henrietta with a face, which I'm sure was the influence for S18 seven years later.

Rating: 9/10

AVALANCHE

So we meet Victoria for the first time and learned that she use to work on the Furness Railway, which was Edward's old line before working on the NWR. I believe that it was the first time it had been mentioned in the books. We also meet Albert, an engine that use to work on the Furness Railway. Albert may not have much depth though. All we know he shares the same personality as Thomas, during his young days, when it comes to snow. The story does show kids the dangers of an avalanche in the end. It was nice however to see the Furness Railway through the flashback and how the way it ran in its working days.

Rating: 8/10

EELS ON WHEELS

First time I believe Daisy had a story to herself since 'Thomas Comes Home', which would be 15 years since then at the time this book was published. It's nice to see an engine's understanding of things that is not railway related and it shows the morals to kids that creatures like eels, snakes etc. can be more scared of thing then we are of them. 

Rating: 9/10

TOBY'S VINTAGE TRAIN

I think this story was a nice ending towards the book. We see Victoria all restored in good order for her return. Though Terence's part felt a bit forceful for the sake of some suspense and the title can be a bit misleading as the whole 'vintage train' part happened in the end. However it's still a nice story in the end and we see the solution finally in order for Toby and Henrietta.

Rating: 7/10

OVERALL

Looking back at this book, I find it more better then 'Thomas and his Friends'. I find the last book, which I have reviewed back in June, to be weak despite some good stories even though some were rehashes with some development. I believe this should've been the last book for the Reverend's centenary in 2011 as the book have some good quality stories. The illustrations from the book by Clive Spong are great as usual coming from the artist, the pictures here have the Dalby feel with some realistic quality in the picture. 

RATING: 

9/10

Book Review: The Thomas the Tank Engine Man (2015 Edition)

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THE THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE MAN

Written by 

Brian Sibley

Published by

Lion Hudson

Release Date

May 15th 2015

Twenty years ago in October 1995 at Charing Cross Railway Station hotel, Brian Sibley's biography of 'The Thomas the Tank Engine Man' was launched with the Awdry family, several editors as well as the late Johnny Morris were all in attendance. Now two decades later the book has new light and is updated with new information between 1996-2015 published in time for the 70th anniversary of the Railway Series that was published on May 12th 1945. 

I do have the original copy of the Thomas the Tank Engine Man biography book by Brian Sibley from a seller from Australia via Amazon I believe around 2013 and it's the same as what is seen in the 2015 edition, although with some less pictures then the previous edition and some pictures from the new series era from episodes such 'Thomas and the Toy Shop' and 'Percy and the Left Luggage'. 

The book provides the many detail on the life of the Rev.W.Awdry's life, his success of the Railway Series books as well as the inspiration behind the stories and characters along with the success of the television series run. With letters written by children over the years giving their praises for the author. The updated version provides us the later years after the book's first publication year with a little help from Railway Consultant Sam Wilkinson, former Thomas artist Owen Bell and creator of the Coffey Reviwer and friend Daniel Coffey.

The cover in my opinion has a lot more attraction then what the former had, It provides familiarity of the characters, I've seen children once excited by seeing a TV series Thomas model at Dryaton Manor despite that they would've been watching the CGI version of the show in 2012. As well as providing pictures of the author from his young years towards his later years as well as pictures and books of his Railway Series. It's a good read if you want to know things about the author himself and the process of the books that have been successful for 70 years. 

Rating: 10/10

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