Thomas' Christmas Delivery (Thomas & Friends)
Thomas and Friends Series
What’s inside...
It is Christmas eve, and Thomas the engine has several important deliveries to make despite wishing he was safe and warm in his shed. A big blizzard makes Thomas fear that Father Christmas might not find the engine shed. The tales of Thomas were first told by Reverend W Awdry in 1944 to his son and were later written down and published in 1945, becoming popular among train lovers globally. Reverend Awdry wrote 26 volumes of these stories before his death in 1997, which continue to captivate young readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-3
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Thomas feels about delivering all the Christmas presents?
What are some ways Thomas shows he cares about his friends?
Why is it important to help others, especially during the holiday season?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone? How did it make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the feelings of the characters and relate them to their personal experiences.
Highlight the themes of friendship and helping others, asking your child how they can implement these values in their own life.
Discuss the spirit of giving and its importance, especially during holiday times, to instill a sense of gratitude and community.
Use expressive reading to make the story more engaging, changing your tone of voice to match different characters and actions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Thomas' Christmas Delivery', Thomas the Tank Engine needs the help of his friends to successfully deliver presents and decorations on time.
Real-World Application: Children learn that collaborating with others can help achieve goals more effectively, a skill useful in school projects and family tasks.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Thomas takes on the important task of making sure all Christmas preparations are done, demonstrating reliability and the importance of fulfilling duties.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of being dependable and taking responsibility for their own tasks, such as completing homework or chores.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite challenges such as bad weather and high demand, Thomas keeps pushing through to ensure a successful Christmas for everyone.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist through difficulties whether in learning new skills or solving problems.
Example Lesson: The joy of giving
Explanation: The central theme of the book revolves around Thomas delivering gifts and joy to others, highlighting the happiness derived from generosity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to enjoy sharing and giving, whether it's sharing toys or helping out a friend in need.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Thomas encounters various obstacles that he must strategize to overcome, showing critical thinking in action.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop problem-solving skills that can help them navigate through their daily activities and challenges.