Something a bit different for a 3yo boy ?

[Tillyboo]

I'm looking for something a bit different for my dd's mate who will be 3 soon.
He's into trains, cars, tractors, buses - any vehicles really and he's got all the 'Thomas' books etc.
He has lots and lots of books so I'd like to give him something other than the general popular books available at the moment - as he's probably got them all.
Perhaps something vintage or something suitable for an older age-group that he can keep ?
I'd be very grateful for any suggestions

You could buy the original collected Thomas stories, big hardbacked book, my 3yo likes his but it will really come into it's own in a couple of years. Much more grown-up than all the brightly coloured versions.

You could start collecting Ladybird 'Read It Yourself' books - he'll be needing those within the next 2 years.

Mr Men books?
Dr Xargle by Tony Ross
FunnyBones by Alan Ahlberg
Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper

And next year you'll be able to buy him a complete boxed set of Harry Potter....!

Not having many original thoughts on the 'vintage' front.

Winnie the Pooh (yawn), Beatrix Potter & Brambly Hedge (too girly?), Chronicles of Narnia would be good and it has a new lease of life.

Dont laugh but the new Noddy is really great, loads of modern stories about noddy in his taxi they keep the traditional feel of the stories but add a contemporary twist, my dd loves them and asks for them to be read every night, I bought some originals off ebay but she's too young to appreciate them yet, anyway, its an idea, hope this helps.

classic like elephant and the bad baby or the tiger who came to tea?

modern stuff - hairy mcclary is great fun and good to read.

Dr Suess - Green Eggs and Ham is great for this age. You can often get nice sets on Book People etc.
What about the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes?
Or her Tales from Trotter Street, they are not as commonly found these days and there is one about a lorry!
And one he absolutely must have if he doesn't already is Dogger.

Thanks all, some really good suggestions here.
I've been sat in Waterstones for ages this morning and decided upon 'The Great Big Little Red Train' and 'Little Red Train to the Rescue' by Benedict Blathwayt.
Has lots of stuff he likes in them, cranes, diggers, trains, trucks, boats & planes - Perfect.

I looked at the Alfie & Trotter St. books and think I'll get my daughter a couple for her birthday.
I also love Janet & Alan Ahlberg books, 'Peepo' is a great favourite of my dd. The illustrations are lovely.

And has he seen Flashing Fire Engines etc by Parker and Mitton? Ds loved these at that age...