Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have a Thomas loving 2 1/2 year old boy. And we love other Thomas books like "Crack in the Track" or "Blue Train, Green Train." So I thought, perfect, a book with lots of Thomas stories, complied into one convenient book that I can keep on his nightstand for bedtime reading. WRONG!! All of these stories are about how mean all the trains are to one another. The common thread is supposed to be how "useful" Thomas is. But in order to feel useful, he must first overcome something, and usually that something has to do with the other trains making fun of him. Many of the stories have the other trains laughing and teasing Thomas for one thing or another...being small, having to attach a snow plow to the front of his train...I don't know about you but I don't want my son thinking that friends belittle each other. I realize that at some point, this type of behavior will be present in his life. I know that teasing and bullying is unfortunately commonplace in the school yard. But I don't need him to be learning about it at 2 1/2!! For a franchise that is geared toward toddlers and young children, I think these stories teach the wrong message. There is even a story about monsters in Thomas' shed. The drawings are really frightening for young children. Thanks Thomas for a months worth of nightmares!! We have only read about 5 of the stories in this book but I'm planning on hiding it or just throwing it away all together. There are way better books to be spending your money on!! If your child is a Thomas fan, get Crack in the Track, Blue Train, Green Train, Go Train Go...these are all about trains being useful without the torment!