May the Best Engine Win! (Thomas and Friends Series)

by Rev. W. Awdry

Overview

EMILY, THE NEWEST engine, is determined to prove that she is as Really Useful as Thomas, so she challenges Thomas to a race: whoever can do the job the fastest is the winner. Soon they are off, each on a whirlwind rush around the Island of Sodor. But they both realize that speed is only part of being Really Useful . . . the work must be done right.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780375843815
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	05/13/2008
Series:	Little Golden Book Series
Pages:	24
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

Editorial Reviews

Part of "A Golden Classic Series," this story is another of Thomas's adventures. In this story, Emily, a new engine, wishes to prove that she is useful. In order to do this she challenges Thomas to a race. During the course of the day both engines are busy and face many obstacles. Thomas, for example, has to wait patiently at the docks while workers move barrels from his train to the boats, he has to carefully pull "Troublesome Trucks" to their destination, and he has to wait at a stop signal while his track is being cleared. Similarly, Emily has to be patient while workers first unload their new tools from her cars and then reattach freight cars loaded with large stones. Emily has an accident because she speeds to win the race. Ultimately, this delays her as she has to wait while one of her trucks is uprighted. While an engaging story, it is geared toward boys. All of the construction workers, train drivers, and workers at the train yard are men. Emily appears to be the only female engine, and she loses the race. That Emily is the only female engine seems to be reinforced by the fact that Thomas's fear of losing is because "the other engines will tease me forever if Emily wins." The illustrator's use of color and detail make for beautiful images that complement the text and captivate the reader.

Children's Literature - Cara Mulcahy