Here Comes Trouble!

Toby

by Corinne Demas, Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator)

Toby causes all sorts of trouble again -- this time with the cat from next door!

Toby doesn't like cats. They're snooty and snobby, and they never pay attention to him! So when Pandora, the cat from next door, comes to stay with Toby and his family, he growls and grumbles.

Pandora does whatever she pleases, and, unlike Toby, she never gets in trouble. But when Pandora gets herself stuck in a tree, it's up to Toby to come to her rescue! In the end, we learn that friendships can grow in the most unlikely places.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Cats, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Corinne Demas is the award-winning author of thirty-nine books, including six novels (Daughters, The Road Towards Home, The Writing Circle), two short story collections, a memoir (Eleven Stories High, Growing Up in Stuyvesant Town, 1948--1968), a poetry chapbook, and numerous books for children (The Littlest Matryoshka, Saying Goodbye to Lulu, The Disappearing Island, The Perfect Tree). She is a Professor Emerita of English at Mount Holyoke College and a Fiction Editor of The Massachusetts Review. Along with her family, two donkeys, and a precocious puppy, she divides her time between Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod, two settings that have inspired her books.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble doesn't always arrive in its expected form in this funny picture book for animal lovers. Emma's dog Toby who simply despises cats just can't stay out of trouble. When the neighbors ask Emma's family to take care of their cat Pandora, Toby is justifiably annoyed. After all, she gets everyone's attention while he gets blamed for everything that goes wrong. To add insult to injury, Pandora is the one responsible for all that mischief. Despite his concern about Pandora, Toby comes to her rescue when she ends up stuck in a tree. The vibrantly-colored illustrations highlight all sorts of ways animals can get in trouble--sometimes surreptitiously.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as great as "Always in Trouble." It's a decent becoming-friends story, but not my favorite. I can't think of how to quite make it work for my storytimes. That and while I'm generally not a pet person, I am definitely not a cat person--I would have left her up the tree. I know. I'm bad. Oh well.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It made me laugh aloud in a few places. With all the great pet books out there, I don't know if I would use it in story time, but it does amuse!

[Brindi Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first this story was okay, however I have no idea where the title really came from (kind of misleading in a way). The illustrations are okay but the story kind of flopped.

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most dogs, Toby does not like cats. They never get in trouble and he is always in trouble. No matter what he does (dig up the flowers, get in the garbage, run into the road), Pandora pays no attention to him. When Pandora’s family goes on vacation, she comes for a visit and Toby gets mad. He gets blamed for all the bad things she does. But when Pandora climbs a tree and gets stuck, it’s Toby who saves the day and makes a new friend. I love the colorful illustrations showing Pandora bored and uninterested with Toby's antics. The final scene shows Pandora and Toby jumping and playing on Emma’s bed. This is a fun sequel to Always in Trouble where Toby goes to obedience school to learn how to behave!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story featuring Toby. We read Always In Trouble a few months ago and we really liked it, so when I saw there was another book about this lovable dog, I had to borrow it from our local library. This is a fun tale to read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish. We enjoyed reading this book together, but we liked the first book better.

[Melissa Housholder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby really doesn't like cats, especially not Pandora, the stuck-up cat next door. However, to Toby's utter dismay Pandora must come live with them since the neighbors are moving! Pandora can seem to do anything she wants and not get into trouble, but as soon as Toby does something he gets in BIG trouble! Pandora seemed to enjoy torturing Toby as well. Until one day when Pandora gets stuck in a tree and only Toby is there to help her. Great story about friendship that kids will really get into!

[Em Mirra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids' book about a dog who initially does not like cats, but ends up making an unexpected friend, when he helps a cat out.

Age: Early reader (Daycare/Pre-K to 1st Grade)
3 out of 5 stars for:

- Cartoonish, fun illustrations (marker/pen/paint?)
- Good use of typography
- Interesting portrayal of dogs/cats
- Simple, basic story
- Important theme of helping others, despite not maybe liking them

Disclaimer: Scene with dog running into the road for attention (Wonder if this is good message for kids who want attention...?)

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toby is a dog who doesn't like cats, any kind of cat. Especially the neighbor’s cat Pandora. What will Toby do when the neighbors go away on holiday and leave Pandora with Toby's family??? A funny picture book that young children will enjoy. Silly voices and faces a must when doing as a read-aloud.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby the adventurous pup does not like cats. When the neighbor cat comes to stay, Toby is ignored until he becomes an unlikely hero. The cartoon illustrations and simple text make this a great read aloud. Reviewer 11.

[Middleburg Heights Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby the adventurous pup does not like cats. When the neighbor cat comes to stay, Toby is ignored until he becomes an unlikely hero. The cartoon illustrations and simple text make this a great read aloud.

[Mary Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby doesn't like cats. Cats always do whatever they please. Pandora, the neighbor cat comes for a visit and causes all kinds of trouble, which only Toby notices. When Pandora gets into some trouble and only Toby notices, he finds a brilliant way to alert the humans and save the day.

[Lewiston-Altura Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book but nothing exceptional.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but difficult to use in a lesson. Perhaps it could be used to teach about friendship rather than behavior.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun story. As usual the dog gets in trouble and the cat gets away with murder. But I know how that goes so I can't argue with the logic (I don't yell at my cat NEARLY as much as I do at my dogs).

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, quotes we hear every day in our life:
"Toby was always in trouble"
"Be quiet, Toby"
"Slow down, Toby"
"Behave yourself, Toby"

Mind you, Toby is the dog in this book!!!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice follow up to the first book. Delightfully prankful.

[Jessica Crockett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations in this book. The storyline was just okay.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this story was hilarious. Everyone knows that cats and dogs don't get alone, but I liked how in the end the cat and dog let go of their differences and became really good friends!!!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is freaking HILARIOUS!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

pictures could be better. repetition of "nobody noticed" cute. cat and dog need to get along.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it were cheese and kittens...