Here is the story of how Thomas and Toby became such good friends. Soon after Sir Topham Hatt saves Toby from retirement, Toby and Thomas are running the smoothest branch line on the Island of Sodor.

James boasts to the other engines that he is never late. Then one day Toby blocks the line when he tries to get through with the express.

A set of storybooks.

Mavis, the new diesel engine, attempts to be a Really Useful Engine and almost causes Toby to plunge off a bridge.

The Reverend Awdry created Thomas the Tank Engine for his son, Christopher Awdry, who continued his father's work by writing a further 14 books. Thomas fans will be delighted to see all of Christopher Awdry's stories beautifully reproduced and printed for the first time since 1996. Christopher Awdry's first Thomas book for 10 years is also being published by Egmont in September 2007.

Toby the Tram Engine loved people, but everyone thought he was too old-fashioned. He felt very sad, until one day someone came to his rescue...

The perfect introduction to Thomas the Tank Engine! Toby the Tram Engine worked in a seaside town. Toby felt sad because people said he and his coach, Henrietta, were too old-fashioned. Then one day someone special took a ride with Toby and Henrietta, and saw how Really Useful the railway pair could be. 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 70 years. He ranks alongside other beloved character such as Paddington Bear, Winnie-the-Pooh and Peter Rabbit as an essential part of our literary heritage