Thomas and Friends: Salty's Secret

Tracing its lineage from Reverend W. Awdry's The Railways Series books created some 50 years ago, which later were adapted by Britt Allcroft for the Shining Time Station series airing on PBS, Thomas and Friends: Salty's Secret, a six-episode compilation narrated by Alec Baldwin, introduces new friends into the train-yard world of the little engine that could. Working on the island of Sodor, under the direction of Sir Topham Hatt, dockyard engine Salty is homesick for the sea but learning to adapt to his new home and co-workers with the help of shared stories and songs in the title episode. "Harvey to the Rescue" illustrates the fact that being different can be very helpful, when despite ribbing from his colleagues, Harvey saves the day with his giant crane. "No Sleep for Cranky" finds cantankerous crane Cranky peeved at spending the night enduring Salty's lengthy yarns. The other three episodes are "The Fogman," "A Bad Day for Harold," and "Elizabeth the Vintage Quarry Truck." Rounding out this enjoyable collection is the cute and catchy music video "James the Really Splendid Engine." Recommended. Aud: K, P. (J. Williams)