Pros: easy for child to activate sounds, "just right" size for sleeping with, stands up nicely on table, creates a nice a bedtime routine
This was my (almost) 2 year old's favorite Christmas present. He is afraid of the sound of real trains, (we live near tracks) but LOVES Thomas the Train, so I decided to buy it. It sits on his nightstand, and before nap and bedtime we say, "Goodnight Thomas" and then press the top of Thomas. It is easy for him to press as well. In a soft, sleepy voice Thomas says various phrases such as, "(yawn) We've been very useful today." "It is time to get some sleep." And the last sound is the melody of the Thomas theme song, but it is played very slowly as if Thomas is winding down for a rest! Very soothing and I am happy with my purchase.
This was a great purchase. We wanted something for our twin boys to cuddle with during naps and night time, but didn't really want just stuffed animals. The plush Thomas trains fit the bill perfectly--Thomas tells them they've worked hard all day and now its time to sleep! Plus, soothing music-wonderful to get the boys to calm down! Granted, my boys don't actually sleep with them :-), but they do play with them before and after sleep. I have many pros--good sound quality, very age appropriate....my only con is the way it is packaged--due to it being attached to the box, when my husband unpackaged the first one, he ended up ripping it (thomas, not the box). So be careful! Otherwise, great toy that I expect to have around for a long time.
Who wouldn't want a toy that is designed to make a toddler cooperate into going to sleep at night? What a marvelous idea! Every time you press Thomas' activating button he is guaranteed to say something that says how tired and sleepy he is, and it is just a short jump from there to "and you are tired too, aren't you?" This is a great parent helper.