Category: Children Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN-10: 1514838168
Pages: 182
Copyright: June 10, 2015
ISBN-13: 9781514838167
Price: $3.01 (eBook)
Suitable for childen and adults, Toby's Tails is an enchantingly refreshing way of educating children in story form about animals, the countryside and France.
Set in the French countryside, Toby's Tails relates the first year in the life of the author's Border Collie, starting with his earliest recollections on the farm where he was born. His life changes when Susan Keefe adopts Toby and he bonds with his new human family, their goat, Molly, and Lucky, the old Golden Retriever who becomes Toby's mentor. Toby's lessons about the world around him include the changing of the seasons, his interaction with other animals, and what he learns from them about birth, death and other inevitable life events. "Based on her experiences as an animal lover and smallholder, and featuring her own animals, the author has created in 'Toby's Tails' an enchanting book to educate children about the needs of animals and the importance of kindness to all living creatures. In this delightful story, Toby the lovable Border Collie relates in a lighthearted manner the adventures of his animal companions, both domestic and wild, and touches sensitively and gently on the occasional inevitable small tragedies that are a part of their life cycle. I believe this is a perfect book to inform and entertain younger readers about the wonders of the animal kingdom." - Susie Kelly, Author "We have a naughty sheepdog too and our nine-year-old farming-crazy grandson loved this book; he was totally absorbed by Toby's story." - Anne Loader, Léonie Press. A garden designer and qualified herbalist, Susan Keefe grew up in Essex, England. She now resides in a small village near Le Mans, France, and has started writing her next book about Toby
Professional Reviews
I love this book.
I too am an animal lover and found the author's treatment and telling of this tale both sensitive and enchanting. Susan gives voice to to those beings that share our lives and exposes their mysterious, inquisitive and wonderful ways, showing us a better way to be in the world.
This is a story of love. It is set in France on a farm and revolves around Toby, a border collie puppy that comes to live there with a family that loves him dearly. He is immediately shown the ropes by Lucky an older Golden Retriever that had lost his companion. Through Toby's curiosity and adventures of discovery we get to meet everyone in their world in their own voice.; the goats, cats, foxes, hedgehog, dormouse, and so much more.
Toby's Tales journals his first year of life and makes me want to hear more of his evolving story. The book is filled with real-life information and exudes the personalities of each animal, the countryside and many other things that I had no idea about.
The love in this book is palpable and the kindness of the author comes through. I also found a quiet spiritual influence throughout the book which deepened the flavor and meaning of the stories.
Come and join Toby in an alluring story of his early life with is beloved family while learning about wildlife and domestic animals through the eyes and thoughts of a puppy. Highly recommended.
Making you 'paws' for thought.
Toby’s Tails by Susan Keefe is a delightful story about a young sheepdog called Toby. Readers see everything through the eyes of young Toby in his first year, from his birth on a farm in Normandy, France, to being adopted by “strangers” on a smallholding.
One day, Toby is safe and well living with his mother and siblings. The next, he is “wrenched” away by strangers to another part of France.
For Toby, this turns out to be a loving home where he quickly forms a bond with his new family.
Toby is like a young, inquisitive child. Everything he sees, hears and smells is a mystery to him, from having a collar put on him for the first time to going for inoculations.
He has question after question. He’s lucky enough to be able to turn to Lucky, a Golden Retriever, who already lives at the smallholding, and becomes his mentor.
Lucky patiently answers all his young charge’s questions and along the way educates the reader about all manner of things.
This is a very educational book that will enchant young readers. It’s a must read for anyone who is interested in animals and nature.
The story is sprinkled with lots of interesting information that will amuse and enlighten you. Go for it! Put it on your bookshelf or tablet.
Wonderful.
Right in the beginning of 'Toby's Tails' there is a photograph of Toby as a puppy. One falls in love with this cute little ball of black and white fur before one has even read one word of Susan Keefe's book. Then, reading the book, Toby does not fail to strengthen his hold on one's heart.
Susan has written the book in Toby's voice, alternating briefly at times by having some of his other animal companions taking over the narrative. This is so skilfully done that at the end of the book one feels that one has indeed been communicating with our friends from the animal world.
I therefore say that this is a book not only for children, but indeed also for adults. Do buy it!
