Toby and the Secrets of the Tree
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Product Description
Book Description
The second and final part of the thrilling adventure of heroism and friendship in an unforgettable miniature world.
About the Author
Timothée de Fombelle is a much-admired French playwright. Initially working as a teacher/lecturer, he soon turned to writing and in 2006 produced his first novel, Toby Alone, known in his native France as Tobie Lolness. Highly acclaimed, it has been translated into 22 different languages and has won numerous prizes. Toby’s extraordinary story continues in Toby and the Secrets of the Tree.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the second, and concluding, book in Timothee de Fombelle's fantastic adventures of Toby, a tiny hero who lives in "The Tree". As with the first book, this tiny world faces a range of issues we too are faced with in real life: Environmental worries, racial tension, misinformation, cover-ups, bullying, to name but a few. We left book one,Toby Alone with Toby in exile, still unsure of his parent's fate, and still facing great challenges, and I am pleased to say that this book sees the resolution of all of these, as well as some revelations as to Toby's true origins, whilst very satisfyingly tying up all the loose ends. I think for children this is particularly important - they need to know what happens to the characters they have come to care about.
This saga will appeal to 9 - 13 year olds the most, I think (although I enjoyed it very much too!). It did cross my mind that this could easily have been one, JKR style mammoth storybook, but on reflection I think the publishers have got it right. One very large book might have been intimidating, a series of lots of little ones (a la Lemony Snicket) would position it towards much younger children, so, on reflection, I think two "Toby" books to complete the story is perfect for its target market.
One thing I would say is that in both books I found it difficult to get my head around visualising the scale of these miniature people in their setting. My spatial imagination skills are obviously deficient!! In the end I just stopped trying, and enjoyed the story without focussing too much on scale. Yes, it is a criticism, but just like Toby, it's miniscule!
This saga will appeal to 9 - 13 year olds the most, I think (although I enjoyed it very much too!). It did cross my mind that this could easily have been one, JKR style mammoth storybook, but on reflection I think the publishers have got it right. One very large book might have been intimidating, a series of lots of little ones (a la Lemony Snicket) would position it towards much younger children, so, on reflection, I think two "Toby" books to complete the story is perfect for its target market.
One thing I would say is that in both books I found it difficult to get my head around visualising the scale of these miniature people in their setting. My spatial imagination skills are obviously deficient!! In the end I just stopped trying, and enjoyed the story without focussing too much on scale. Yes, it is a criticism, but just like Toby, it's miniscule!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The concluding book of Toby's adventures in The Tree has, like the first, been a pleasure to read. Both for me & my 8 yr old daughter. It is a well paced, well plotted & involves well rounded & engaging characters. With hatred, bigotry, racism & ecological disaster in hand to hand combat with love & hope, It is one of the best children's books I have read as either adult or child. I can't recommend it enough.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the sequel to Toby Alone, and it was such an enjoyable read. I really liked how the ending tied all the strands of both books together and was so happy and positive. As in Toby Alone, the book draws parallels to real life and therefore it was nice to see how the tree people came back from the corruption caused by Joe Mitch, and learned once again to appreciate the simple things in life and thus saved the tree (the world). It was also nice to see how the people from the tree learned to appreciate and live together in harmony with the grass people.
This book has many sub-plots which eventually tie into the main storyline of Toby trying to save Elisha and his parents. The book has so many lovely characters who add so much to the overall feel of the book. From certain characters, many themes and issues are discussed. The character of Liev, who is both blind and death due to a disease, is very strong and courageous and can do the same amount, or if not more work than the normal people, proving that even the hardest difficulties can be overcome. The Asseldor family show the strongest of family ties and connections, showing that the strength of a family and having people there for you - what a wonderful effect it can have on the strength of each member of the family in what they can achieve. Mo Asseldor also shows how he is willing to make a personal sacrifice to help his family to freedom and safety. However, it truly is the character of Toby himself who shows all these strengths and more to prove he really is the humble hero.
On the other side, there are also the bad characters in the story who really give the plot its depth and who without, there would not be half as many twists and turns. At the beginning of the book these characters are namely Joe Mitch and his many week sidekicks, who have a huge passion for digging great big holes and hence destroying the tree. There is also Leo Blue, who is enemy of the grass people, whom he believes killed his father. However, during the story we discover this is not the case and Leo manages to reverse his fate and join the good side, with everyone eventually hating Joe Mitch and his one remaining sidekick Tiger.
Certain themes and patterns are good vs. evil, saving the world, science and love. This book is quite romantic with many of the characters, the way they meet and behave and the gestures. There is certainly passion, and these may be clues as to the author being French compared to English - being slightly stereotypical!
Overall a fantastic book with one of the best endings even, namely because it is so happy and makes everything fit together perfectly. I really do recommend it. There is lovely language used, and with so many interesting different characters, readers should find the book easy to relate to in one way or another.
This book has many sub-plots which eventually tie into the main storyline of Toby trying to save Elisha and his parents. The book has so many lovely characters who add so much to the overall feel of the book. From certain characters, many themes and issues are discussed. The character of Liev, who is both blind and death due to a disease, is very strong and courageous and can do the same amount, or if not more work than the normal people, proving that even the hardest difficulties can be overcome. The Asseldor family show the strongest of family ties and connections, showing that the strength of a family and having people there for you - what a wonderful effect it can have on the strength of each member of the family in what they can achieve. Mo Asseldor also shows how he is willing to make a personal sacrifice to help his family to freedom and safety. However, it truly is the character of Toby himself who shows all these strengths and more to prove he really is the humble hero.
On the other side, there are also the bad characters in the story who really give the plot its depth and who without, there would not be half as many twists and turns. At the beginning of the book these characters are namely Joe Mitch and his many week sidekicks, who have a huge passion for digging great big holes and hence destroying the tree. There is also Leo Blue, who is enemy of the grass people, whom he believes killed his father. However, during the story we discover this is not the case and Leo manages to reverse his fate and join the good side, with everyone eventually hating Joe Mitch and his one remaining sidekick Tiger.
Certain themes and patterns are good vs. evil, saving the world, science and love. This book is quite romantic with many of the characters, the way they meet and behave and the gestures. There is certainly passion, and these may be clues as to the author being French compared to English - being slightly stereotypical!
Overall a fantastic book with one of the best endings even, namely because it is so happy and makes everything fit together perfectly. I really do recommend it. There is lovely language used, and with so many interesting different characters, readers should find the book easy to relate to in one way or another.
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