Has Everyone Forgotten Thomas' Birthday?
934653
"Thomas does not want to work today. It is his birthday! He wants a party, with presents, balloons, and silly hats. But Sir Topham Hatt says, `Henry is busy. Gordon is busy. James is busy. You must work today, Thomas.'" -From the book

Even though it is his birthday, Thomas is sent out to work on the railway. He works hard all day long, and is sad that no one wishes him a happy birthday. Has everyone forgotten?

At the end of the day, a dejected Thomas chugs into the darkened shed. "Some birthday", he thinks.

Just then the lights go on-and Thomas is given a wonderful surprise from the other engines, railway employees, and Sir Topham Hatt!

Happy Birthday, Thomas! is a Step 1 "Step into Reading" book that is geared to children in Preschool to Grade 1. The type is large, the sentences are short, and the illustrations are bright and colorful. There are no insults traded among the trains in this book, unlike the Thomas the Tank Engine stories geared to older children.
990795
Good afternoon truth was a disappointment as it was the birthday of my son who meets the 12/28/14 and pressing several buttons are disarmed appreciate your respuesta. Ya my Daniel is very sad
3058848
I am buying this book for my son and daughter (3 and 5 respectively).  They both love Thomas and my son particularly loves this book.  He can hardly wait to get to the end where Sir Topham Hatt and the gang yell "Surprise!"

He even presses his face against Thomas' on the last page and quietly whispers "Happy Birthday" to his favorite steamie.

A wonderful addition to any Thomas fan's library.
4911678
Given that our previous 3y/o son really loves train and Thomas specially we did not hesitate ordering this set though we live here in Qatar.

I even brought our son to claim the package as a surprise birthday gift for him. Lo and behold! We the parents got surprised! We we're expecting an elaborate track set but we got a flimsy and an ordinary Thomas train set. It was really different from what was shown in the sample photos. (Photos attached)

I hope this is just a mix up because otherwise this is deceitful and unfair. I'm calling the attention of the seller to rectify this issue for our precious little boy.
649940
I have read Tim Ward's book twice. I identified with him a lot. First, I have brain cancer. I have epilepsy (was diagnosed with it when I was 7). I had a spinal tap when I was young (about 16), so I knew exactly what he was going through with the spinal headaches. We both have the same birthday -- June 23. When I was halfway through reading his book the first time, I learned that he died. My heart goes out to his family. I know that they miss him, but they have to be awfully proud of him.
3924877
Simple comment for an editorial mistake: Page 28 mentions the inventor of the Higgins boat. It states "Henry Higgins" but it was Andrew Higgins.

Andrew revised combat and helped save the world; Henry revised Eliza Doolittle and created a great entertainment spectacle.

BR
1859513
Like many fans of PTerry, I have been one for many many (cough) many years. Sadly, I don't remember the first book of his I read, but I know it was in the late '80s, and I distinctly remember laughing my head off at his turns of phrase and the way he slyly created Discworld, and then going back to the library and desperately turning the book racks, hoping that a new title had magically arrived. And of course over the years I've purchased and read (or been given as gifts! hurrah!) his books.

I was one of the lucky people who got to attend the first ever Discworld convention in the US, where I got to meet Sir Terry (and where he signed my copy of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Once-More-with-Footnotes/dp/1886778574/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Once More with Footnotes</a>, twice!) and listen to him talk (ramble really). He had just been diagnosed with his Alzheimer's, and there was a fear that if I didn't attend and meet him then, I'd never get to.

I also had him sign my copy of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Nation/dp/0061433039/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Nation</a>, which, although not set in Discworld, I thought was an amazing work of literature and probably his best book. So imagine my surprise when I read the speech he wrote to accept the Boston Globe's Horn Book Award, for *Nation*, and it was in 2009... five years ago! And that he also felt that "Nation" was his best book.

In any event, I ramble, but my ramblings do relate to the author's ramblings in this collection of speeches, pieces he wrote in his journalism career (but none, sadly, from his career as a nuclear press officer!), articles for newspapers, etc.

I can't promise you'll laugh your head off with this collection of Sir Terry's nonfiction, but I promise you will laugh (some), and cry (some), and marvel (a lot), and feel moments of awe and joy and sadness and everything in between. You'll also feel the anger he feels at a system that won't provide necessary medication for his brain disorder - a form of Alzheimer's - yet will provide Viagra; and the anger he feels at not being able to control his own death... an anger I feel as well, one that was brought (forgive the clich&eacute;) literally close to home when a dear friend's mother took *19 days* to die after the dementia finally took her brain away.

Yes, there is some repetition in the book - for instance, we read several times that the first book he read and really enjoyed was&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Wind-in-the-Willows/dp/1402782837/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Wind in the Willows</a>&nbsp;- but that is to be expected when the audiences for the pieces vary but the subject matter really doesn't.

Aside: The part that amused me the most was that Neil Gaiman wrote the forward to the book, and in its pages is Sir Terry's Ode to Neil. :)

If you're a fan, GET THIS BOOK. If you're not, well, get it anyway, and you'll become a convert.
195404
Although there are some still open question about Thomas and others the ending was not what I expected. I am not going to read the prequal since from what I have read it is not based on Thomas so what's the point.
806973
None of my relatives were listed in this book. It not include Michael Weeks Berry-hill. The mystery of where he came from continues.
2473698
It's Three Kings Day at the Montoya family rancho, and they've welcomed guests, included Don Javier, an old beau of Tia Dolores, who is now Josefina's stepmother. He has brought Tia Dolores a beautiful ruby ring which is an inheritance from her aunt. Also visiting is Senor Fernando, a man who is considering buying a horse from Josefina's father. During the festivities, the ruby ring disappears. Could Don Javier be the culprit? Senor Fernando? Or is it the strange man Josefina has seen hanging around near their hacienda? And why does Tia Dolores seem so dispirited? Can it be she regrets coming to the rancho and marrying Mr. Montoya?

I can't believe Valerie Tripp wrote this. It's so very obvious who the culprit is (think the LOST IN SPACE episode "The Golden Man") and what happened to the ruby. And, maybe it's because I'm an adult, I also figured out why Tia Dolores was so unhappy from page 20. Just because the readers are kids doesn't mean you need to give them a storyline with cliched aspects. Disappointing.
959082
It amazes me that anyone can Teach Like Jesus but does not follow the 4th Commandment. The Sabbath is and always was on Saturday not sunday. A man changed it, (Constantine) so he could get more money into the coffers. It is all in history AND the Catholics say so themselves ! And...His name was and is not Jesus. It is Yeshua. I would imagine that if Josh was called Tom of Harry or whatever constantly he might just stop talking to that person. And no I did not read the book nor will I.
3429023
My birthday is the 5th.  Every year, I appreciate the dinners with friends and family, but I am always antsy, waiting for dinner to end.  Bracause Seanan McGuire always gives me the best birthday gift. I get to lock the door, settle onto the couch with a cup of coffee, and read a new October Daye book.  This year was a bonus, as the book was released at the beginning of my day instead of the end :)

The book...very bittersweet.  I felt for Simon, and the family?  Whew!  As my dad always says, family may be blood, but you don't have to like them.  I think October finally has finally released her familial angst.  I have a couple minor peeves.  I thought the quest was a little too easy, as well as leading the party to places already visited with nothing really new.  The encounter with Riordan was very anti-climatic.  I also felt a lot more time was spent rehashing other books than normal.  Perhaps that's because this book seems to be a transitional, with it finally leading into the main secret , which has always been hinted around. I think we'll finally  get to know why her aunt wants her dead.

As I said though, these are minor peeves.  This book still outshines all the other books I have read this year, and I will continue to be madly in love with all the characters in the series.
3398818
I know I will be pleased because I love everything he has ever done.  However, it has not yet arrived due to weather conditions beyond anyone's control.  Delayed several days so far.  I listen to him all year long so not having it for the Season is no big deal for me.  If it were to be a gift I might feel differently, this is no one's fault but Mother Nature.  Cannot argue with that Lady!!!
4140358
Please, if you are interested in Thomas, read Thomas himself, or at least his best modern interpreters (Chenu, Gilson, Clarke, Blanchette, etc.) and not this dastardly dolt.  Garrigou-Lagrange was the last great exponent of "manualist Thomism," which is to the real thought of Thomas something like what water is to whiskey.  It is a distortion, a dumbing-down, an arid parody of Thomas; it is not Thomas.
4924950
I have read many books about Edward, the Queen, etc...and I am convinced he WAS Shakes-speare and that she had him just after she turned 15 getting pregnant at age 14 1/2 (when she was sent to live away in the country and according to her nurse was sick, throwing up constantly the entire summer and fall...hmmm...) and I believe he was born around Feb/Mar of 1549, NOT 1550. That date was made up to prove he couldn't have been the son of Thomas______ who had molested and child-raped Elizabeth when she was only 14 when in fact he was his son. Thomas ____ was executed in 1550 so by changing the date, then he couldn't have been the earl's father...but he WAS. Elizabeth also I think might have given birth to at least 2 more children, Henry Wriothesly obviouly being one of them with Edward de Vere so these two geniuses could incestually carry on their superior genes to future generations. Everything falls into place about Shakes-speare if you know all this and read sonnets/plays. Edward must have been LIVID when he was finally told by the Queen (in his early 20's I believe) that he was her son and the real heir to the throne. But she could ruin that "virgin" (yeah right) status and became the "dark lady" because of it enraging Edward for being reniged this honor. Thomas (Ed's father) own brother was named Edward...was the earl named after his uncle? Also, another book I read said that on the day of the Earl's death, Henry was imprisoned but then released after King James' men confiscated all his papers (Shakes-speare's will?) informing him of his heir status that would have shook the monarchy forever. Good show sweet prince!! Loved the book. I hope others will look at your facts and realized how we all have been duped by the very very cunning/beautiful/enigmatic Queen Elizabeth, a ocne in a lifetime woman. Adieu.
4569781
This is the perfect birthday present for a seven year old boy. It is clear that transformers are back!  My grandson would like to  have ever one that has been made.
3033987
I wish to inform everyone that the last name of Jean Baptiste should actually be spelled Charboneau not Charbonneau. I am an ancestor of the title character. There are 2 other books regarding him. One is called the Bastard and the other is called Phillipe Charboneau.  No offense to this author. Just wanted to set the record straight.