It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t know about Thomas the Tank Engine. The iconic character first appeared in 1946, and hasn’t slowed down since. People across generations feel a sense of nostalgia for this determined tank engine.
Thomas and Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! will show Thomas leaving Sodar Island for the first time and he’ll have some new friends to keep him company. As they take a journey around the world, they’ll be learning about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs are 17 aims set by world leaders. If the SDGs are met, the world would be much closer to ending extreme poverty, inequality, injustice, preventable diseases, and more. Thomas and Friends will be tackling six specific goals, including gender equality, quality education, sustainability in cities, and clean water.
📣@UN and @ThomasFriends have teamed
up to teach families about the Sustainable
Development Goals. We’re all aboard for
building a better 🌎🌍🌏on the fast track.https://t.co/XesnR4m2P6#AllAboardForGlobalGoals pic.twitter.com/OuOiKmry5c— UN Environment (@UNEnvironment) September 9, 2018
The series will feature a Steam Team with two new female characters; Rebecca, who recently moved to Sodar, and Nia, who will be joining along from her home country of Kenya.
Throughout the series, new characters from across the globe will appear as they travel to learn about the SDGs and how to create a sustainable world.
“That’s incredible to show kids — that there’s so many of us out there,” says Yvonne Grundy, who voices Nia. “That’s a really fun message and really empowering message to have.”
This series, as it has done in the past, will remain as an educational and fun experience for kids. The new characters and locations will lead to new and relevant lessons for today’s kids
“The changes and new additions of characters and geographies will make the show more entertaining, inclusive and global – whilst ensuring all the favourite characters and storylines that fans around the world love remain at the heart of the action,” says Ian McCue, senior producer of Thomas and Friends.
With 26 episodes and a feature film, this series is sure to get parents and kids alike All Aboard for Global Goals!
