Though Harold's appearances are relatively few in the Thomas & Friends books and videos, they are evidently quite memorable. Every time my just barely over 2-year-old sees Harold in a story on DVD he shouts, and if he's on a certain page in a book, he'll point to him, and often not let me turn the page. With my son's interest in Harold, I knew it wouldn't be long before we just had to have him.

We didn't buy Harold right away. Because he doesn't work on the rails, I wanted to wait until my son first had plenty of track and trains to work together, before adding the Harold accessory, to minimize any possible disappointment. We also talked a little bit about how "Harold flies in the sky," so that by the time we bought Harold he would understand that he was not going to work on the rails.

How we Bought Harold
I purchased Harold brand new without a box or character card "because he came from a larger set" for the bargain price of $7.99 The set he also comes in is the "Rescue Hospital" set that sells for about $50 and comes with a hospital, ambulance, and Harold. We will probably purchase this set for our son, but not until he's a bit older, at which point I guess we'll have two Harolds.

The Toy
I'm pleased with Harold because he looks remarkably like the Harold the Helicoptor of the books and DVDs. He's also very cute, with a pleasingly rounded shape that's just the right size for toddler's hands. His propeller blades turn smoothly and easily, and my little one can make them go around with little trouble and no help from me. Like most Thomas & Friends toys - though I notice with some new releases this is starting to change - he is completely noise free except for whatever sound effects your child might add. Additionally, Harold does have 2 little magnets on him. One on his tail, and one at the center of his propellar blades.

My only disappointment with Harold is that he's about 50% plastic! In a wooden railway system, it's nice to have minimal plastic, and Harold seems to have more than is strictly necessary. His rounded body is wood, but his propellars, tail, and even his "legs" are all plastic. I expected his propellar to be plastic, and could even - reluctantly - accept the plastic legs, but Harold's tail is a chunky, simple piece and I cannot figure out why it isn't wood. When I look at most Thomas pieces I mostly see wood. At least enough to call it a "wooden" toy. But Harold is enough plastic that I think of him as a plastic toy, and this makes him seem like he's not as nice as his train friends.

Playing with Harold
My son doesn't notice the plastic a bit. Nor is he bothered by the fact that Harold doesn't work on the rails. In the way of small children, if my son wants Harold to work on the rails, he simply makes it happen. But, mostly he seems content with the idea that Harold flies in the sky above the trains. We've also taken full advantage of the little magnet on Harold's rear by pretending one of the engine's is in trouble and needs Harold to give him a lift off the tracks to go see the little wooden workman we have.

The only problem I have with my son's playing with Harold is he doesn't make enough appearances in the books and stories. His appearance is extremely brief in the "Thomas & the Magic Railroad" movie, he's completely absent from "The Best of Thomas" DVD, and he appears only very briefly in one of the books we have. This weekend, we finally bought "The Best of James" and were grateful to find out that there is a sing-along video on it that is entirely about Harold. My son now asks to watch the "Harold Story" over and over... and over... and over again.

Fortunately, children just need a little fuel and then their imaginations run wild, so though we have provided very little background information on Harold for my son, he's been able to take that little bit and do a great deal with it, as I'm sure your child will too.

FIND RELATED REVIEWS BELOW

Wooden Railway System
Annie - Thomas' Beloved Coach
Barrel Car
Bertie the Bus
Clarabel- Thomas' Beloved Coach
Edward the Blue Engine
Gordon the Big Express Engine
Henry the Green Engine
James the Red Engine
Lady
Percy the Small Engine
Rusty with Construction Cars
Thomas the Tank Engine
Tidmouth Milk Tanker
Toby the Tram Engine
Arched Stone Bridge
Single Stone Tunnel
6.5 inch Curved Switch Track
6.5 inch Curved Track
Circle Set

Books
Diesel's Devious Deed
Thomas: The Really Useful Engine

Buying Thomas
All Aboard Toys

Train Table
Nilo Train Table


Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 7.99
Type of Toy: Playscene
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years