Four Little Engines
#10 of 65 in Railway Series
What’s inside...
Four Little Engines is another story in the popular Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends series, written by the Rev. W. Awdry. This story features the engines called Skarloey and Rheneas. A collection of four stories chronicles the adventures of several railway engines.
Discussion points
What do you think the engines might be feeling when they try to climb the big hill?
How do the engines help each other in the story?
What does the story teach us about teamwork and cooperation?
Can you think of a time when you worked together with someone to solve a problem?
How do you think the story would change if one of the engines decided not to help?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading experience more immersive and entertaining.
Pause after key events in the story to ask your child how they think a character is feeling or might react.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s personal experiences, asking them about times they have had to work with others to achieve a goal.
Emphasize the moral lessons of cooperation and perseverance, discussing why those values are important in everyday life.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or additional adventures for the engines, nurturing their creativity and narrative skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The engines in the story cooperate to help each other overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together with peers to solve problems and accomplish tasks, whether in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The little engines face several challenges, but they keep trying until they succeed.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence in overcoming difficulties, be it in learning new skills or dealing with personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Helping Others
Explanation: The engines often assist each other, demonstrating the importance of helping those in need.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being helpful and supportive to friends and family members, fostering a caring community.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Differences
Explanation: Each engine has unique traits and skills that contribute to their community's success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and respect individual differences and recognize everyone’s unique contributions at home, school, or in their community.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The engines are tasked with specific duties, which they must handle diligently.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of taking responsibility for their own tasks, such as homework or chores, and the role this plays in personal and communal success.