In the early 1940s, a loving father crafted a small blue wooden engine for his son, Christopher. The stories that this father, Reverend W. Awdry, made up to accompany this wonderful toy were first published in 1945. He continued to create new adventures and characters until 1972, when he retired from writing. Reverend Awdry died in 1997 at the age of 85. Tommy Stubbs is an illustrator. His works include The Birthday Express!, A Crack in the Track, and Blue Mountain Mystery. Elizabeth Terrill is the author of children's books. Her credits include Get Those Puppies!, Simba's Jungle Hunt, and Thomas & Friends: Go, Train, Go!