Join Thomas and his friends on the Island of Sodor in seven different episodes full of fun, adventure, and learning. The main menu also offers the option of going directly to the sing along, James' connect-the-dot game, and a character gallery. The stories, narrated by George Carlin, are a mixed media presentation of computer animation and cartoons but are primarily real toys shown in still frames. This animation requires viewers to use their imaginations, as the characters do not have moving lips, and usually only their eyes are moving for expression. Each episode is based around a moral, including the danger of being boastful, the benefits of teamwork, the hazards of holding a grudge, the importance of keeping your word, watching what you say, and the old adage 'what goes around comes around.' The motifs of friendship and good feelings associated with helping others are carried through the entire DVD.
Each episode ends showing Thomas and each of his friends with a name plate to help viewers learn the characters quickly. Challenge your child to read the name plate or memorize the names and say the name of each character aloud as they are shown. The sing-along also includes the lyrics at the bottom of the screen while a choir of children sing the lovely song about the wonderful Island of Sodor, "Island of Sodor will make your dream come true...Follow the road that leads to your dream, over the hills and mountains." The morals of each episode are also excellent talking points to reiterate and discuss with your little one as soon as you feel they are ready. Using the metaphor of Thomas and his friends may help your child understand the lesson better and desire to put it into practice.
My three-year-old friend, Sam, was quite intrigued by the first episode, which the DVD is named after. Sam is allergic to bees, so he has a fear of them. His eyes grew huge when he saw the cartoon bees hovering around James. "Is James allergic?!" Sam cried, very concerned, when the bee stung him on the nose. "No, no, he'll be fine. I just hurts a little, "I assured. Sam calmed down once he realized James would be okay, and even laughed at the joke of calling James the "red nosed engine" and "The bees knees."
--Audra