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The Curious Adventures of the Abandoned Toys
When Doc the bear arrives at the dump from his former home in a children's hospital, he's not sure what kind of life awaits him. But the friends he finds there are determined to make his new home a welcoming one. In the gentle, classic style of The Velveteen Rabbit, the toys discover what it's like to live on their own.
Julian Fellowes's witty text and S. D. Schindler's lovely, intricate art combine to make a beautiful gift book, sure to strike a chord with any child--or adult--who has ever loved a stuffed toy.
Julian Fellowes's witty text and S. D. Schindler's lovely, intricate art combine to make a beautiful gift book, sure to strike a chord with any child--or adult--who has ever loved a stuffed toy.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2007
1 person is currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Julian Fellowes
61 books1,518 followersJulian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes (Baron Fellowes of West Stafford), DL. English actor, novelist, screenwriter, and director.
Fellowes is the youngest son of Peregrine Fellowes (a diplomat and Arabist who campaigned to have Haile Selassie restored to his throne during World War II). Julian inherited the title of Lord of the Manor of Tattershall from his father, making him the fourth Fellowes to hold it. He was educated at Ampleforth College, Magdalene College, Cambridge, and at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
He played the part of Lord Kilwillie in the television series 'Monarch of the Glen.' Other notable acting roles included the part of Claud Seabrook in the acclaimed 1996 BBC drama serial 'Our Friends in the North.' He has twice notably portrayed George IV as the Prince Regent in the 1982 television version of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and the 1996 adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's novel 'Sharpe's Regiment.'
He wrote the screenplay for 'Gosford Park,' directed by Robert Altman, for which he won an Oscar for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 2002.
His novel 'Snobs' was published in 2004. It focused on the social nuances of the upper class. Fellowes has described himself as coming from the "rock bottom end of the top", and drew on his knowledge of Society to paint a detailed portrait of the behaviour and snobbery of the upper class. 'Snobs' was a Sunday Times Best Seller and has now been published in many countries.
In the 1970s he also wrote romantic novels, using the names Rebecca Greville and Alexander Morant.
He launched a new series on BBC One in 2004, 'Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder,' which he wrote and also introduced on screen.
He also penned the script to the current West End musical 'Mary Poppins,' produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, which opened on Broadway in December 2006.
In late 2005 Fellowes made his directorial debut with the film 'Separate Lies.'
He is the presenter of 'Never Mind the Full Stops,' a panel-based gameshow transmitted on BBC Four from mid-2006.
On 28 April 1990, he married Emma Joy Kitchener (a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Michael of Kent, and great-great-niece of the 1st Earl Kitchener) and assumed the name Kitchener-Fellowes by deed enrolled with the College of Arms in 1998.
{Wikipedia}
Fellowes is the youngest son of Peregrine Fellowes (a diplomat and Arabist who campaigned to have Haile Selassie restored to his throne during World War II). Julian inherited the title of Lord of the Manor of Tattershall from his father, making him the fourth Fellowes to hold it. He was educated at Ampleforth College, Magdalene College, Cambridge, and at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
He played the part of Lord Kilwillie in the television series 'Monarch of the Glen.' Other notable acting roles included the part of Claud Seabrook in the acclaimed 1996 BBC drama serial 'Our Friends in the North.' He has twice notably portrayed George IV as the Prince Regent in the 1982 television version of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and the 1996 adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's novel 'Sharpe's Regiment.'
He wrote the screenplay for 'Gosford Park,' directed by Robert Altman, for which he won an Oscar for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 2002.
His novel 'Snobs' was published in 2004. It focused on the social nuances of the upper class. Fellowes has described himself as coming from the "rock bottom end of the top", and drew on his knowledge of Society to paint a detailed portrait of the behaviour and snobbery of the upper class. 'Snobs' was a Sunday Times Best Seller and has now been published in many countries.
In the 1970s he also wrote romantic novels, using the names Rebecca Greville and Alexander Morant.
He launched a new series on BBC One in 2004, 'Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder,' which he wrote and also introduced on screen.
He also penned the script to the current West End musical 'Mary Poppins,' produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, which opened on Broadway in December 2006.
In late 2005 Fellowes made his directorial debut with the film 'Separate Lies.'
He is the presenter of 'Never Mind the Full Stops,' a panel-based gameshow transmitted on BBC Four from mid-2006.
On 28 April 1990, he married Emma Joy Kitchener (a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Michael of Kent, and great-great-niece of the 1st Earl Kitchener) and assumed the name Kitchener-Fellowes by deed enrolled with the College of Arms in 1998.
{Wikipedia}
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 23, 2009
Nice, very detailed illustrations, but the text (by the screenwriter of Gosford Park) is long and windy and uses a pretty advanced vocabulary, and there's a lot of words per page. If you're going to read this aloud with a 3-6 year old, it will take forever. (Maybe it's aimed at a slightly older child.) The story itself is not that interesting but I think kids will like the pictures.
September 30, 2012
I read this book because I like Julian Fellows attitude towards life and his writing is superb!
This book puts an English spin on toys that have been dumped because they are damaged. They go on adventures and eventually the little boy finds his old bear.
It is a good heartfelt story!
This book puts an English spin on toys that have been dumped because they are damaged. They go on adventures and eventually the little boy finds his old bear.
It is a good heartfelt story!
November 15, 2010
This book makes one wonder if the makers of Toy Story 3 read it before scripting TS3?
December 3, 2020
I enjoyed the characters in this book, especially Cora! She was so snarky, that it made her memorable. I loved how the stuffed animals came together to help each other even when they didn't really feel like it, and the lesson behind it for a child.
October 2, 2023
What a delightful picture book! The characters and plot are so cleverly designed. Most of all, I appreciate the writing. It's exquisite without being precious.
Never before had I read a book by Julian Fellowes. Granted, I was an avid fan of "Downton Abbey" when it came out. Also, I've seen "Gosford Park" twice. Thus, appreciating Mr. Fellowes as a screenwriter wasn't new to me.
However, my experience of this author was very different, reading this little picture book. Fellowes and his characters here... their voices sounded clearly; more resonant, more nuanced than in the screenplays I enjoyed.
HUH? WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? "THEIR VOICES SOUNDED CLEARLY?"
Let's take the example of Violet, in "Downton Abbey," brilliantly played by Maggie Smith. Those screenwriter's lines were replete with zingers, always memorably delivered. (For example, "What IS a weekend?")
Yet, imo, Fellowes' big achievement in "Downton" and "Gosford" was to miniaturize scenes: Keep 'em moving, add just enough to satisfy, with never a moment to spare.
By contrast this little picture book struck me as unrushed; beautifully paced, really. As for the characters, they had highly original voices that were neither super-simplified or miniaturized.
In truth, several times, I felt as though I peeked inside Julian's heart. While the "Downton" characters that he created had little to their lines; little happened beneath the surface. Acting artistry brought those clevery simple little snippets to life.
While Julian's picture book characters, such as Cora, sparkled like gemstones. Each toy's hidden lights emerged whenever you paused long enough to take a good look.
INITIALLY I WROTE THIS START OF A REVIEW
Soon as I spotted this title, I thought, "This one's going to be for me." Some distinctively British wit was surely on offer.
And it was. Plus, I soon recognized the name of the author, Julian Fellowes. You might recognize that name too, if you've ever been a fan of "Downton Abbey," or even "Gosford Park."
Now, on to the picture book itself. Although it's illustrated, don't expect most young readers to be able to do the reading for themselves.
Even if this book is more demanding for readers, it's also far more witty than your typical picture book. For example, about a stuffed kangaroo that was thrown into a cupboard and neglected for five days....
"I've never been lucky," said the kangaroo with the empty pouch. "Nothing's ever gone right for me since I was first cut out.
Never before had I read a book by Julian Fellowes. Granted, I was an avid fan of "Downton Abbey" when it came out. Also, I've seen "Gosford Park" twice. Thus, appreciating Mr. Fellowes as a screenwriter wasn't new to me.
However, my experience of this author was very different, reading this little picture book. Fellowes and his characters here... their voices sounded clearly; more resonant, more nuanced than in the screenplays I enjoyed.
HUH? WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT? "THEIR VOICES SOUNDED CLEARLY?"
Let's take the example of Violet, in "Downton Abbey," brilliantly played by Maggie Smith. Those screenwriter's lines were replete with zingers, always memorably delivered. (For example, "What IS a weekend?")
Yet, imo, Fellowes' big achievement in "Downton" and "Gosford" was to miniaturize scenes: Keep 'em moving, add just enough to satisfy, with never a moment to spare.
By contrast this little picture book struck me as unrushed; beautifully paced, really. As for the characters, they had highly original voices that were neither super-simplified or miniaturized.
In truth, several times, I felt as though I peeked inside Julian's heart. While the "Downton" characters that he created had little to their lines; little happened beneath the surface. Acting artistry brought those clevery simple little snippets to life.
While Julian's picture book characters, such as Cora, sparkled like gemstones. Each toy's hidden lights emerged whenever you paused long enough to take a good look.
INITIALLY I WROTE THIS START OF A REVIEW
Soon as I spotted this title, I thought, "This one's going to be for me." Some distinctively British wit was surely on offer.
And it was. Plus, I soon recognized the name of the author, Julian Fellowes. You might recognize that name too, if you've ever been a fan of "Downton Abbey," or even "Gosford Park."
Now, on to the picture book itself. Although it's illustrated, don't expect most young readers to be able to do the reading for themselves.
Even if this book is more demanding for readers, it's also far more witty than your typical picture book. For example, about a stuffed kangaroo that was thrown into a cupboard and neglected for five days....
"I've never been lucky," said the kangaroo with the empty pouch. "Nothing's ever gone right for me since I was first cut out.
April 28, 2012
Library Catalog
Doc, a teddy bear, has lived a long and good life comforting children in a hospital dayroom. When the hospital gets spruced for a royal visit, Doc ends up at the dump where he meets other discarded toys. When the toys discover a rabbit mistakenly tossed into the trash, a heroic attempt to reunite the rabbit and boy begins. Lovely illustrations highlight the text. Appropriate for Grades 2-4.
Doc, a teddy bear, has lived a long and good life comforting children in a hospital dayroom. When the hospital gets spruced for a royal visit, Doc ends up at the dump where he meets other discarded toys. When the toys discover a rabbit mistakenly tossed into the trash, a heroic attempt to reunite the rabbit and boy begins. Lovely illustrations highlight the text. Appropriate for Grades 2-4.
November 27, 2016
To all of my friends with children, if see this review, you will know why I am looking for copies to send you for Christmas.
I bought this because I was reading all of Fellowes' novels, and this contains two stories that Fellowes apparently used to tell his son. While it may be a children's book, that totally didn't stop me from crying over it. I always loved my stuffed animals as if they truly and refused to throw them away. The illustrations are nice, and many points made within are refreshingly "unAmericanized".
I bought this because I was reading all of Fellowes' novels, and this contains two stories that Fellowes apparently used to tell his son. While it may be a children's book, that totally didn't stop me from crying over it. I always loved my stuffed animals as if they truly and refused to throw them away. The illustrations are nice, and many points made within are refreshingly "unAmericanized".
January 5, 2009
Very British-which adds flavor to an interesting read. Doc, a stuffed bear abandoned by the hospital where he amused the sick children is befriended by other toys also left at the local dump. Each character is fully developed and their adventures are entertaining and interesting.
December 15, 2007
This is so sweet. I'm hoping there will be additional stories in the future.
January 31, 2008
Great read aloud
July 12, 2015
I loved this book. It reminded me of my little bear Bear Bear! A great book for anyone who has ever had a great bear or toy that they loved and feared losing!
Read
October 12, 2008Funny story about stuffed animals once there thrown away. You may never throw away another stuffed animal
May 28, 2010
A little bit of Toy Story... a little bit of Edward Tulane... a whole lot of fun. A very sweet story and the kids really enjoyed it.
March 30, 2012
Charming
June 1, 2017
A small book on the "easy juvenile" shelf, this is a charming, well written story of discarded and lost toys, who are free to talk and move when not observed by people.
January 13, 2017
Quick, heart warming little book.
May 29, 2017
Always fun to imagine toys coming to life, this is a mini chapter book.
January 16, 2018
Fun and short story about the lives our toys lead after we grow up. my girls liked it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews