Toby

by Margaret Wild, Noela Young (Illustrator)

Sara and her younger brothers all have their own ways of handling the increasing age and infirmity of their beloved dog, Toby.

Genres: Picture Books, Death

1 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

To see this review and to learn more about Margaret Wild please visit www.readrantrockandroll.com

This review may contain spoilers...

Toby by Margaret Wild is a book about a family dealing with an elderly dog named Toby. The book starts out explaining Toby at the age of fourteen and how he's been big sister Sara's dog his whole life. Sara is twelve now and is having a hard time dealing with the fact that old Toby just can't do what he used to. She's getting older too and dealing with her own stress at school, etc. It's hard for her younger brothers to understand her as well. The children wonder why Toby can't live forever.

This has to be one of the most emotional children's books I've read this year. The story feels genuine and anybody that's gone through it can understand how difficult it is to say goodbye. Dogs become family and it's hard to let them go. This story highlights the dynamics of a family dealing with loss. Each one of them deals with it differently.

5*****

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp743...

[RAB]

This made me cry when I read it to the kids a work.

[Brooklyn Tayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me just start by telling you about how I heard of this book; a Library patron where I work said she had read it many years ago and it was something that had stuck with her all these years later, and I was instantly intrigued.


Being a children’s picture book, I read it in a few minutes and was moved to tears by the simplistic, human nature in this book, it’s something we all go through, growing up, and having to deal with changes and growing and pets getting old. This book definitely made me emotional, part of me was screaming at the girl to ‘wake up’ as it were, but things definitely went how I was hoping for them to go. So I’ll say that not only could this be for children, but I think everyone could get something out of this book. The illustrations were exquisite, too, and definitely added another element to the story!

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 1996, grade 2, Ms Reilly’s class. She used to let us borrow a book at a time. I borrowed Toby so many times I was made to start picking another book so other children could read it.

This was the first book to make me cry. I’d do anything to own a copy now.

A beautiful book, with a beautiful story about saying goodbye to a lifelong friend

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story brought tears to my eyes. Lovely illustrations.

[Kristen McBee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me cry! An honest story about the emotions a dog’s best friend experiences as he grows old and then dies. No sugar-coating, but it’s gentle in its honesty.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great story of true friendship but i wouldnt reccommend it for children under 8.I love the illutrations because they are so life-like. I wont tell you too much because I'd love you to read it! But anyway...This book is a sad but happy story about their beloved dog Toby, Sara is Tobys owner but as she grows up things change and her brother does not understand. I Definitily would reccomened this book to any dog lover!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michelle Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the saddest kids story I have ever read and even get tears in my eyes when I look at this book on the shelf. It is such a beautiful story. I would love to share this book more often (although not the happiest of topics) with my students but struggle to read it without my voice failing and me sobbing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two younger brothers grieve for their dog who is getting older and will soon die and wonder why their 12-year old sister is so mad at poor old Toby. Getting old isn't his fault.

Touching story, good illustrations, and a nice perspective on the different ways people grieve.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tear jerker of a picture book. Toby is an old dog who is getting sicker and less able to get around with each day. The three kids in the family cope with this in different ways. My 8 year old and I both cried towards the end. Very sad.

[Blair]

I first discovered this book in the library at my old primary school and it made me feel so sad! It's such a touching story and I hope to own a copy of my own one day :-)

[Gaynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually had trouble finishing this book when I read it aloud to a class in the library. It is very sad, but the ending is sweet.