Thomas & Friends: Percy
Thomas Engine Adventures Series
What’s inside...
The perfect introduction to Thomas the Tank Engine! Percy is a little engine who loves to be cheeky. He spends all day playing tricks on the other engines, but one day he has to be a very brave engine! Based on the classic tales from the Reverend W. Awdry, with a stunning, modern look. Thomas Engine Adventures is a great way to pass on the tradition of Thomas to early readers. Children aged 2 and up will love meeting classic characters such as Percy, James, Gordon, and Toby down on The Fat Controller's railway. These fun, short stories come with a bonus spot-and-see activity at the end. Perfect for bedtime. Thomas has been teaching children lessons about life and friendship for over 75 years. He ranks alongside other beloved characters such as Paddington Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Percy a good friend?
How do you feel when Percy faces a challenge?
What would you have done if you were in Percy’s place?
Why is it important to help our friends?
How did Percy’s adventures make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Percy's actions and decisions. Use expressions and emotions Percy displays to discuss empathy and friendship. Relate Percy’s challenges to real-life scenarios your child might face, fostering critical thinking. Highlight moments of teamwork and ask your child about times they have worked together with others. Praise your child’s responses to affirm their understanding and boost their confidence in expressing their opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: Percy, one of the characters, demonstrates strong bonds and cooperation with other engines, illustrating the value of supporting and being supported by friends.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by helping and receiving help from their peers during group activities or play, fostering positive and supportive friendships.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: Percy often faces difficult situations on the railway but manages to overcome them through determination and clever thinking.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to remain resilient and resourceful when encountering difficulties, such as solving puzzles or navigating social conflicts.
Example Lesson: Being Responsible
Explanation: Throughout the story, Percy shows responsibility by carrying out the tasks assigned to him diligently, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling one's duties.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of responsibility by completing their chores, homework, or other tasks assigned to them, understanding that fulfilling obligations is part of daily life.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Percy makes mistakes but learns from them, which helps him improve as an engine. This highlights the concept of viewing mistakes as learning opportunities.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to see their own mistakes as chances to learn and grow, rather than being discouraged by them.
Example Lesson: Value of Patience
Explanation: Percy often has to wait for his turn on the tracks or for his orders, teaching the virtue of patience.
Real-World Application: In real life, children can practice patience while waiting their turn in games, during discussions, or while sharing toys with others.