“There’s a reason why the Thomas the Tank Engine series has been around for so long - kids just love it!”

They certainly do. One mother described her sons’ reactions to the arrival of this latest Thomas and Friends DVD - Engines and Escapades: “…you would have thought we won the lottery from the excitement and dancing of my two boys.”

As before, the introduction of Madge was a hit: “She is a strong female character which is always nice to see!”

Another blogger made a new observation about the show: “The pacing of this series feels very different from other children’s TV shows. It’s slower, with the story unfolding with a lot more narration and a lot less action than your typical children’s show.” She went on to note that this feature made the DVD that much more appealing for her younger daughter: “With the low amount of action, yet bright colors and interesting faces on the engines, this was the perfect DVD for her.”

While one mother advised, “Make sure your child knows before watching that they won’t be seeing much of Thomas in this one,” another mother countered that, “Although this DVD did not feature Thomas as much as some of the other DVDs, the other trains had an opportunity to learn the importance of finishing their own responsibilities, listening to the advice of others, and generally respecting each other.”

But what really stands out about Thomas and Friends are the lessons. “Each episode features a fairly standard script, where one engine finds himself in in a situation that seems promising at first, but then a problem develops. This leads to a solution that involves teaching a lesson about seeing a job through, conquering your fears, helping others, etc.”

The bloggers appreciated this opportunity to discuss these everyday lessons with their kids. One mother commented: “Working together is something we are diligently learning in our household with a know-it-all 5 year old and slightly Napoleonic 3 year old, and Thomas gave some good examples to talk through on the importance of working together.” Another lauded this DVD for “the same great lessons that Thomas has always taught - that whether you or big or small, be brave, be confident about who you are, be supportive of your friends, say you are sorry when it’s necessary, work together as a team.”

Thomas and Friends: Engines and Escapades is the latest in a series that has stood the test of time. If you’ve got a toddler train fanatic at home, pick up a copy for yourself!