Meet Thomas and his friends (My first Thomas)
Thomas and Friends Series
on Goodreads (16)
What’s inside...
Designed exclusively for the ever-growing numbers of Thomas tiny-tots, the bold art-style in the My First Thomas series emphasises the bright colours and large, friendly engine-faces which small children find so stimulating. In this adorable introduction to the little blue engine and his friends, young readers lift the flaps to find Thomas and all the wonderful Thomas the Tank Engine characters.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
1 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you think about how Thomas helped his friends?
Can you describe a time when you helped a friend like Thomas did?
What makes Thomas a good friend?
How do you think the other trains felt when Thomas helped them?
What would you do if you were in Thomas' place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to express their thoughts and connect their personal experiences to the story.
Show interest in their responses and if needed, guide them gently to elaborate on their thoughts.
Discuss the importance of friendship and helping others, reinforcing these values through examples from Thomas' actions in the book.
Relate the situations in the book to real-life scenarios your child might encounter to help them apply the moral lessons discussed.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different scenarios in the book, enhancing their creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Thomas and his friends showcase how working together and supporting each other can overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cultivate friendships and collaborate with others, understanding that teamwork can solve problems that might seem too big to handle alone.
Example Lesson: Developing responsibility
Explanation: Throughout the book, Thomas takes on various responsibilities, demonstrating the importance of fulfilling duties and being reliable.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this in their daily lives by taking on small tasks at home or school, learning the value of trust and accountability.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Thomas often makes mistakes but learns from them, which encourages children to see errors as learning opportunities rather than failures.
Real-World Application: This helps children embrace a growth mindset, where they view challenges as chances to improve and learn, rather than as insurmountable setbacks.
Example Lesson: Value of patience
Explanation: In several stories, Thomas must wait for other trains or deal with delays, teaching the virtue of patience.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that some things require time and that waiting can be an integral part of achieving certain goals or outcomes.
Example Lesson: Courage to explore
Explanation: Thomas is often seen venturing out on new tracks or trying out new tasks, highlighting the courage to explore and try new things.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be open to new experiences, whether it’s trying a new sport, making a new friend, or learning a new subject at school.