"Thomas and the Dinosaurs" read by Peter Andre | Reading with Friends | Thomas & Friends UK
"Thomas the Tank Engine" read by Harry Judd | Reading with Friends | Thomas & Friends UK
"Happy Birthday" read by Spencer Matthews | Reading with Friends | Thomas & Friends UK
Join Thomas, James, Percy, Emily and all of your favourite engine friends as they embark upon endless adventures on the Island of Sodor! Based on a series of children's books, "Thomas & Friends" features Thomas the Tank Engine adventures with other locomotives on the island of Sodor. Thomas often gets into trouble, but never gives up on trying to be a really useful engine. Other members of Sir Topham Hatt's Railway include: Percy (Thomas' best friend), and Gordon (the fastest and most powerful member of the team).
Watch Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! on Milkshake!
Connect with Thomas & Friends Online: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
From ATV Today:
Celebrity dads kick off Thomas & Friends’ 75th anniversary celebrations
Harry Judd, Peter Andre and Spencer Matthews have teamed up for a ‘unique digital story showcase’.
Reading with Friends marks the start of the 75th anniversary celebrations of Thomas & Friends.
To celebrate the magic of Thomas & Friends’ storytelling, the celebrity dads read aloud a story from the very first book up to current day stories to celebrate Thomas’ journey so far.
Each of them have been captured on camera and the videos of the celebrities will be hosted on the official Thomas & Friends UK YouTube channel from today.
Musician, author and the winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2011, Harry Judd will be seen re-telling the first story to feature Thomas titled ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’.
“Thomas & Friends is a global phenomenon and I loved reading the very first Thomas story. It’s been so lovely to introduce [my son] Kit to the books as Thomas was such a big part of my childhood. I always just remember loving the different colours of the trains, their names, the full faces and characters themselves that you saw within the books. Kit is now a big fan. Happy Birthday Thomas & Friends!” – Harry Judd
Judd added: “I think it’s important for adults and parents to be reading to their children, partly for me because it’s a good practice on how to read because I don’t read much in my life. And I think it’s a really great way of getting your children focused and using their imagination.”
TV personality and Performer, Peter Andre gives his take on the action-packed story ‘Thomas and the Dinosaurs’.
“When I was approached about Reading with Friends, it made perfect sense especially as I voiced the character of Ace in the Thomas & Friends movie; Big World! Big Adventures! I think as a kid when I was growing up in Australia., what I loved about Thomas was, how Thomas himself is a very sort of posh English, sort of straight character and then you have all these different personalities that have a sense of humour and, you know, they have tried to inject a sense of humour into Thomas or Thomas is trying to inject his sense of humour into the stories and it was all different types of humour. My son Theo, who’s three, is obsessed with Thomas, and I love all of the characters too.” – Peter Andre
Andre added of his professional connection with Thomas & Friends (voicing Ace): “Ace is a great character and, and I loved being a part of this film. There’s a whole new generation that only know me as Ace. Theo is absolutely obsessed with Thomas & Friends but what has really got me is that he’s become obsessed with Ace the car. He’s got the little car and he carries it with him everywhere. He goes to sleep with Ace, he has Ace at breakfast, he takes Ace into the bath, I mean Ace is everywhere.
And former Made in Chelsea star and entrepreneur, Spencer Matthews will conclude with the celebratory story ‘Happy Birthday!’
“I loved being able to come up with the different character voices for Reading with Friends. I grew up with Thomas & Friends and my son Theo, who’s now 16-months-old, loves the books and the toys.” – Spencer Matthews
‘Reading with Friends’ is designed to highlight the exciting and heart-warming tales featuring important life lessons for children that have remained at the heart of Thomas & Friends, since the books were first created in 1945, when the first ‘Railway Series’ written by Reverend W. Awdry was published.
Thomas & Friend’s 75th birthday celebrations are not just happening in the UK. Fans around the world will be able to join in celebrating Thomas’ storytelling heritage in lots of different ways too. The world’s most famous No.1 Blue Engine will be exciting fans with a wide range of activities including brand new content, special anniversary moments at live events and attractions, new engaging apps, gaming and new music.
Peter Andre, Spencer Matthews and Harry Judd read Thomas the Tank Engine stories from ATV Today on Vimeo.
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From Primary Times:
Peter Andre, Spencer Matthews and Harry Judd have teamed up to present new Thomas the Tank Engine stories for its 75th anniversary celebrations
Three of the nation’s favourite celebrity dads, Peter Andre, Spencer Matthews and Harry Judd have teamed up to deliver a unique digital story showcase, “Reading with Friends,” to mark the start of the 75th anniversary celebrations of Thomas & Friends.
To celebrate the magic of Thomas & Friends’ storytelling, the three dads read aloud a story from the very first book up to current day stories to celebrate Thomas’ journey so far. Each of them have been captured on camera and the videos of the celebrities will be hosted on the official Thomas & Friends UK YouTube channel from today.
Musician and author Harry Judd will be seen re-telling the first story to feature Thomas titled “Thomas the Tank Engine”; TV personality and Performer, Peter Andre continues with his take on the action-packed story “Thomas and the Dinosaurs” and TV personality and entrepreneur, Spencer Matthews will conclude with the celebratory story “Happy Birthday!”
“Reading with Friends” is designed to highlight the exciting and heart-warming tales featuring important life lessons for children that have remained at the heart of Thomas & Friends, since the books were first created in 1945, when the first “Railway Series” written by Reverend W. Awdry was published.
On taking part in the digital storytelling series, Peter Andre said, “When I was approached about Reading with Friends, it made perfect sense especially as I voiced the character of Ace in the Thomas & Friends movie; Big World! Big Adventures! My son Theo, who’s three, is obsessed with Thomas, and I love all of the characters too.”
Spencer Matthews said, “I loved being able to come up with the different character voices for Reading with Friends. I grew up with Thomas & Friends and my son Theo, who’s now 16-months-old, loves the books and the toys.”
Musician and Author, Harry Judd best-known for being in McFly added, “Thomas & Friends is a global phenomenon and I loved reading the very first Thomas story. It’s been so lovely to introduce Kit to the books as Thomas was such a big part of my childhood. He’s now a big fan! Happy Birthday Thomas & Friends!”
The series of three videos are available on the Thomas & Friends UK YouTube channel from today. In its special 75th anniversary year in 2020, Thomas & Friends will be celebrating its strong storytelling and highlighting how even after 75 years no-one else does this better than Thomas & Friends!
The celebrations are not just happening in the UK. Fans around the world will be able to join in celebrating Thomas' storytelling heritage in lots of different ways. The world’s most famous No.1 Blue Engine will be exciting fans with a wide range of activities including brand new content, special anniversary moments at live events and attractions, new engaging apps, gaming and new music.
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From ToyNews:
Peter Andre, Spencer Matthews and Harry Judd celebrate 75 years of Thomas and Friends
Peter Andre, Spencer Matthews, and Harry Judd have teamed up to deliver a digital story showcase, Reading with Friends, to mark the 75th anniversary celebrations of Thomas & Friends.
To celebrate the storytelling of Thomas & Friends’, the three fathers read aloud a story from the first book up to current day stories to celebrate Thomas’ journey so far. Each of them have been captured on camera and the videos of the celebrities will be hosted on the official Thomas & FriendsUK YouTube channel from today.
Musician and author Harry Judd will be seen re-telling the first story to feature Thomas titled Thomas the Tank Engine; TV personality and Performer, Peter Andre continues with his take on the story Thomas and the Dinosaurs, and TV personality and entrepreneur, Spencer Matthews will conclude with the story Happy Birthday!
Reading with Friends is designed to highlight the tales featuring important life lessons for children that have remained at the heart of Thomas & Friends, since the books were first created in 1945, when the first Railway Series written by Reverend W. Awdry was published.
Peter Andre said: “When I was approached about Reading with Friends, it made perfect sense especially as I voiced the character of Ace in the Thomas & Friends movie; Big World! Big Adventures! My son Theo, who’s three, is obsessed with Thomas, and I love all of the characters too.”
Musician and author, Harry Judd, added: “Thomas & Friends is a global phenomenon and I loved reading the very first Thomas story. It’s been so lovely to introduce Kit to the books as Thomas was such a big part of my childhood. He’s now a big fan! Happy Birthday Thomas & Friends!”
The series of three videos are available on the Thomas & Friends UK YouTube channel from today. In its special 75th anniversary year in 2020, Thomas & Friends will be celebrating its strong storytelling and highlighting how even after 75 years no-one else does this better than Thomas & Friends!
###
From ToyWorld Magazine:
Thomas & Friends celebrates 75th anniversary with celeb storytellers
Petre Andre, Spencer Matthews and Harry Judd took part in digital story showcase Reading with Friends as part of the anniversary celebrations.
Peter Andre, Spencer Matthews and Harry Judd have teamed up to deliver a unique digital story showcase, Reading with Friends, to mark the start of the 75th anniversary celebrations of Thomas & Friends.
To celebrate the magic of Thomas & Friends’ storytelling, the three dads read aloud a story, from the very first book up to current day stories, to celebrate Thomas’ journey so far. Each story has been captured on camera, and the videos can be seen on the official Thomas & Friends UK YouTube channel.
Musician and author Harry Judd can be seen re-telling the first story to feature Thomas, titled “Thomas the Tank Engine”; TV personality and performer Peter Andre continues with his take on the action-packed story “Thomas and the Dinosaurs” and TV personality and entrepreneur, Spencer Matthews concludes with the celebratory story “Happy Birthday!”
Reading with Friends is designed to highlight the heart-warming tales, featuring important life lessons for children, that have remained at the heart of Thomas & Friends since the books were first created in 1945, when the first “Railway Series” written by Reverend W. Awdry was published.
On taking part in the digital storytelling series, Peter said, “When I was approached about Reading with Friends, it made perfect sense especially as I voiced the character of Ace in the Thomas & Friends movie; Big World! Big Adventures! My son Theo, who’s three, is obsessed with Thomas, and I love all of the characters too.”
Harry added: “Thomas & Friends is a global phenomenon and I loved reading the very first Thomas story. It’s been so lovely to introduce my son Kit to the books, as Thomas was such a big part of my childhood – he’s now a big fan.”
Fans around the world will be able to join in celebrating Thomas’ storytelling heritage in multiple ways, including activities, new content and more special anniversary moments.
The series of three videos is available on the Thomas & Friends UK YouTube channel.
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From Licensing Source:
How Thomas & Friends is steaming into its 75th anniversary
Source takes a look at just some of the activity which is taking place across the year.
Having begun as a collection of stories in 1945 – The Railway Series – written by Reverend W Awdry to entertain his son, Thomas & Friends is now entering its 75th year of entertaining preschoolers globally. Despite taking 12 years for the first consumer products to launch in 1957, Thomas is now one of the biggest brands in preschool.
Helen Genia, senior manager consumer products at Mattel, explains: “Publishing is really at the heart of this brand, so we are delighted to be working with Egmont to publish the perfect book that features the complete collection of all 26 short stories from the famous original railway series in one stunning volume.” This will be accompanied by a full programme of book releases throughout 2020.
In April, Mattel will launch a partnership with Harrods to celebrate the heritage of Thomas & Friends with several activations in-store along with limited branded merchandise. Also in the retail sphere is a global DTR deal with H&M to produce a range of children’s apparel and accessories, and the successful partnership with M&S will continue into 2020.
Later in the year, model railroad manufacturers Bachmann will work with Thomas & Friends on a two-year licensing deal. The company’s traditional electric trains will create a realistic recreation of the property through HO (1:87) scale products in the UK and Ireland.
Mattel itself has strong plans to mark the milestone. Helen continues: “New product including engines and play-sets will be introduced across the range, with fun limited-edition items to celebrate the birthday all supported with great product from our licensing partners.”
Key to the longevity of the Thomas brand is Mattel’s commitment to build on its preschool heritage. The core values are as relevant today as when Awdry wrote the first book, and as the brand evolves, these are reflected in everything it does.
Meanwhile the property is kept fresh, as Helen explains: “The brand and content saw a ground-breaking refresh in 2018 to encourage children to discover the world around them. Introducing new locations, characters, a gender balanced Steam Team with a 4:3 boy to girl ration from the previously 6:1, new theme tune and humour through the format and narrator.”
This is also how Mattel will continue to keep the Thomas brand relevant. Helen concludes: “2020 will continue to pave the way for the next generation, with break frame moments that spotlight Thomas as the beloved British heritage brands that embraces modernisation as the world continues to change.”
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From TVKIDS:
Mattel’s Christopher Keenan
Christopher Keenan, senior VP and executive producer of global content development and production at Mattel, talks to TV Kids about what’s next for Thomas & Friends and what’s new in Barbie content.
Thomas & Friends has been a staple of preschoolers’ TV schedules around the world since the 1980s. The animated adventures of a blue tank engine received a major revamp in 2017, in time for the 22nd season.
TV KIDS: What lessons were learned from incorporating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, faster-paced stories and more girl characters into Thomas & Friends?
KEENAN: With each new content iteration, Thomas & Friends has continued to evolve on many fronts. Working with the UN and their Sustainable Development Goals was an opportunity that the creative team embraced wholeheartedly, and we were able to tell relatable stories in season 22 that brought these goals to life for our target audience. The effort continues in our branded, short-form content. The introduction of six well-rounded, prominent female characters has also been at the forefront of these most recent seasons, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how well they’ve been received by boys and girls alike. And, of course, shifting to a shorter format has prompted a much quicker pace when it comes to storytelling.
TV KIDS: Tell us about Mattel’s Barbie content.
KEENAN: Like the content for Thomas, the content for Barbie is ever-evolving. When I joined Mattel, there was a long tradition of direct-to-consumer, long-form movies or specials, with Barbie “cast” as a fantasy character (such as a fairy, a rock star, a ballerina, a superhero, etc.), and there was very little content that showcased Barbie as herself. Since then, we’ve launched Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures, an animated series that focuses on Barbie’s life in Malibu at home with her sisters and parents and at high school with her friends, as well as Barbie Vlogger, in which this same character vlogs online about current events, female role models and issues that girls and young women face every day. The response from viewers has been amazing.
TV KIDS: What are some of the keys to successfully bringing the essential qualities of a toy brand to television?
KEENAN: While all the traditional rules apply (creating an engaging world, building strong characters, crafting relatable stories, bringing it all to life with a compelling execution), there is the added agenda of showcasing a play pattern—whether it’s role-playing or nurturing or construction or so on—so that the experience can extend to toy play when the screen is turned off. Kids love to tell their own stories with characters they meet on the screen, and toys give them the tools to do this. The more successful we are with organically embedding the character and story-driven content with elements of play, the more engaged kids are, whether playing with their favorite toys or watching their favorite programs.
TV KIDS: What new forms of storytelling excite you most in the kids’ landscape today?
KEENAN: As the platform landscape has splintered and expanded, so have the opportunities for bringing characters and stories to life in unexpected ways. Seeing a resurgence in 2D animation and stop-motion is as exciting to me as all the technical advances in CG. I’m also thrilled to see new creators bringing their ideas to life through inexpensive means and getting their work seen widely and quickly online. The doors have been opened to a whole new community of talented storytellers—and we need as many of those new voices as possible.
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More Thomas: Thomas & Friends Launches Collaboration With the United Nations to Inspire the Next Generation of Global Citizens!
Originally published: Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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