Amber Dickson rated Thomas The Tank Engine: 3 stars
Thomas The Tank Engine by Reverend W. Awdry
Here is the original collection of stories about Thomas in a friendly, new, larger size! First published in 1946, and …
I really loved the way this book started out, and enjoyed the author's use of language, but for some reason I felt let down when it came to the battle against Aunt Ivy, or the Charge of the Bright Brigade as it was known in the story. Too much military jargon for my liking, and it was an unfamiliar theme for my 6 year old. I don't mind explaining words to her, but when I suddenly had to define the words General, rifle, gas attack, war zone, hand grenades, repel, ammunition, machine gun, strategy, siege, Colonel, tactics, reconnaissance, platoon, Brigadier, troops, maim, retreat, Lieutenant, barricades... Well, it just wasn't enjoyable anymore. I didn't mind the battle itself, just not the couple of chapters leading up to it. I might still seek out the further adventures of Tumtum and Nutmeg.
