If so, someone please ask him why his books are so dull to read to children. I am really starting to dislike Thomas!
2006-10-24 10:21:49 · 10 answers · asked by Canadian/Brit Girl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
My sons used to like them, possibly aided by the TV series which did much to bring them to life. I think they're boys' books. Thomas the Tank Engine is almost 60 years old! He originated in England in 1945 when The Reverend W. Awdry wrote the first book in the Railway Series. Since then a generation of children have grown to love the cheeky engine and friends on the Island of Sodor.
The Reverend Wilbert Awdry, who passed away on 21 March 1997, was a retired Anglican clergyman. His father, Vere was also a clergyman and had the same passionate interest in railways. As a little boy in his father's vicarage in Box, Wiltshire, Wilbert would be in bed at night and listen to the trains of the Great Western Railway running along the main line from Paddington to Bristol within 200 yards of the house. He would imagine all the engines talking to one another and invented characters for them all.
He first made up stories about Thomas and his friends in 1943 to keep his son Christopher amused when he was ill with the measles. Mr. Edmund Ward, a businessman who wanted some diversion for his retirement eventually published the books, but they were so successful that Mr. Ward had to come out of retirement to cope with the demand.
When, after 26 books, The Rev. W. Awdry decided he could write no more, his son Christopher for whom the stories were first created, took up the series. Christopher began writing the books when his own son Richard was three - the same age as Christopher himself when his father started the Railway Series. It is through Christopher's efforts that there are now an additional 40 stories in an increasingly popular series.
Thomas the Tank Engine is one of the top children's favorite characters of all time. The timeless charm of the Awdrys' works have sold 25million units in the US and world wide book sales are approaching 80 million units.
How can one argue with statistics? But you could always write to Christopher Awdry, who must have become quite a rich man thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine.
2006-10-24 10:40:20 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Rev W Awdry died in 1997.
His books and the video's keep children entertained, maybe you find them dull because Thomas is almost 60, and you've read them over and over again.
Children with Autism love Thomas the Tank Engine, often they are obessed.
2006-10-27 04:38:32 · answer #2 · answered by thebigtombs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry, OBE --Order_of_the_British_Empire, (June 15 1911--- March 21, 1997 was a clergyman, railway enthusiast and children's author, best known as the author of The Railway Series of books.
2006-10-24 17:44:18 · answer #3 · answered by chuck16023 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly no, I think he died a number of years ago.
Ignore Thomas and focus on James, he was the cool one!
2006-10-24 17:34:01 · answer #4 · answered by alfie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
We loved Thomas Tank.
2006-10-24 17:50:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he has died now. I agree with you about Thomas, I am praying my son doesn't get into him, Bob The Builder is much better!!
2006-10-25 04:29:49 · answer #6 · answered by chelle0980 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know, but someone I was at school with wrote a book about him. His name is Brian Sibley.
2006-10-24 17:25:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No he died 9 years ago.
The reprinted 'updated' books are a lot better read.
2006-10-24 20:21:14 · answer #8 · answered by claire j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He died in 1997.
2006-10-24 17:26:11 · answer #9 · answered by CCTCC 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no he died in stroud in glos on friday 21st march 1997
2006-10-24 17:32:40 · answer #10 · answered by Charlotte J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋