The Life of Reverend W. Awdry by Brian Sibley.

This fascinating and warm biography traces the story behind one of the most well known story tellers of all time - the Rev Wilbert Awdry, the man behind Thomas the Tank Engine.

Following his life from an Edwardian childhood through his time at university, through World War II and beyond, this book includes a lovely section detailing his time on the Talyllyn Railway, a connection which was to infulence many of the Railway Series stories and remains a very fondly regarded link for those of us involved on the inspirational source for the Skarloey Railway.

The book has been illustrated with memorabilia from the Awdry family along with artwork from the Thomas the Tank engine stories, and has been updated to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first Thomas story.

Hardback 373 pages.