I decided to compile this list when tidying up my bookshelves. Looking at our old favorites reminded me of how important Thomas and Friends were to Dave's learning to read.
The following 5 books are THE easiest practice readers. These are books that are classified as pre-primers, which means that they are below the 1st Grade level. Enjoy!
The following 5 books are THE easiest practice readers. These are books that are classified as pre-primers, which means that they are below the 1st Grade level. Enjoy!
Catch Me, Catch Me!
In this little book the text is LARGE and the sentences are short; and the topic is a race between mighty Gordon and our favorite little blue engine.
Here's some sample text.
Gordon is big.
Gordon is blue.
Thomas the Tank Engine is blue too.
"I am fast.
And you are slow.
I will race you.
Go, go, go!"
I like Owain Bell's drawings.
The engine's faces are cheerful (mostly) and there's enough detail
in the picture to keep the Sodor background interesting. A very good
book for beginning readers.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 197
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 0.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 7256
- Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
- ISBN-10: 0679804854
- sample pages available
Close Shave
You might see that green engine and think it's Percy,
but it's not. It's Duck, another member of the gang, and in this
book his mishap involves careening into a barber shop. (Okay, not as
cool as Percy getting covered in delectable chocolate, but it's
cute!)
It's an adventure that makes more sense in the video than in this book where the text tends to wander off-topic. So you might wait to introduce this one until after your child has seen the dvd.
It's an adventure that makes more sense in the video than in this book where the text tends to wander off-topic. So you might wait to introduce this one until after your child has seen the dvd.
Thomas and Duck
are friends.
They are
not friends with the
Troublesome Trucks.
They like
to chug up hills.
They like
to zip down hills.
Richard Courtney nicely illustrates this one.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 139
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 122695
- Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
- ISBN-10: 0375851801
- sample pages available
The Great Race
Which is better, Roads or Rails? Bertie
and Thomas decide to race after having a friendly argument about
which is better. The two friends set off and have fun, but not
without stumbling across a number of obstacles.
I happen to like this one because, for once, Thomas shows some patience.
I happen to like this one because, for once, Thomas shows some patience.
"Go fast," says Annie.
"Go faster," says Clarabel.
"Wait and see," Thomas tells them.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 153
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 45522
- Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
- ISBN-10: 0375802843
- sample pages available
Stuck In The Mud
Hiro is one of the new(er) characters. He first appeared in the Hero of the Rails
movie where Thomas wanders off on a side track and finds him.
Thomas and his closest friends work to get Hiro repaired in secret
because they think Sir Topham Hatt might scrap the old engine, but,
of course, nothing is further from the truth. Hiro is an honored old
Steamie.
Children who like Hiro will be happy to find this adventure replayed in this book as Thomas finds the sweet old engine and helps to have him repaired. The two then end up rescuing the trouble making Spencer --who is the one unfortunately stuck in the muck and mire.
Children who like Hiro will be happy to find this adventure replayed in this book as Thomas finds the sweet old engine and helps to have him repaired. The two then end up rescuing the trouble making Spencer --who is the one unfortunately stuck in the muck and mire.
Click-clack!
Click-clack!
Thomas puffs
down the track.
Thomas finds
an old engine.
Hiro is broken.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 120
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 133152
- Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
- ISBN-10: 0375861777
- sample pages available
Thomas And The Jet Engine
A hilarious tale that
features quite a few of our favorite Steamies. It begins when
Thomas goes to Brendam Docks to pick up a jet engine. Cranky loads
the engine but when he gets sloppy his hook catches the on-switch,
the jet engine starts, and Thomas shoots off at super-sonic speed!
The fun comes when he zips past other supposedly faster engines, like smug Gordon.
The fun comes when he zips past other supposedly faster engines, like smug Gordon.
Reading Information:
Word Count: 140
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 127675
- Publisher: Golden Books
- ISBN-10: 0375842896
- sample pages available
compiled by Pam T