Traveling Backward by Toby Forward

by Toby Forward

A young girl tries to prevent the inevitable.When Fanny obtains a magic potion for her dying grand-father, the effect is startling. Grandfather becomes much younger and more vigorous with each taste. But when he can’t stop the process of getting younger and younger, he and Fanny realize they must come to terms with what they have always known before it is too late.

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Toby Forward is the author of many books for children, including Shakespeare's Globe. He has also written for adults. Toby Forward lives in Liverpool, England, with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author so much that I'd read his shopping list if he wanted to print it. This one made me feel both sad and hopeful. It's lovely

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in second grade, and while admittedly that is nearly 20 years ago now, it is one of those books that has stuck with me. It has been so long since I read it that I cannot provide an in depth review of the writing style, characterization, or what-have-you. What I can do is is tell you the impression it left on my 7 year old mind. What I remember learning from this book is that immortality is not nearly as great as it's made out to be, and when our time comes we may welcome it. One scene that stuck out to me was when Fanny goes to school with her grandfather who due to the effects of drinking too much magic potion now appears to be nearly the same age as her. In class they are learning about the London Blitz and one of the boys starts talking about how cool it would have been to be there and how cool it would be to see the bombs explode (adding exclamations of BOOM! for effect). At that point the grandfather says quietly "It wasn't like that." As a second grader my understanding of war amounted to bad people did something bad so a bunch of good guys went to beat them up in the name of justice, freedom, and doing the right thing. It was this scene that made me realize war is not as cool as they tried to tell us.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gentle little book explores the concept of aging and death in a very child friendly way. In the book, the grandfather receives an elixir for eternal life, but it does not work out as pleasantly as it sounded to him and his granddaughter.

[Varsha Seshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this one because I was sure that a book called Travelling Backwards written by a person called Toby Forward had to be entertaining, at the very least. I was not disappointed.
http://www.varshaseshan.com/blog/book...

[Doris]

A fun easy story which introduces children to the concepts of death and endings.

[Jocelyn Montalvo Cullum]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14038198