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Tobias and the Demon
Tobias, together with his dog, sets out on a quest to recover his father's money, but the stranger who guides them across the mountains is not what he seems, and sinister dangers lurk. The end of the journey is by no means what they expect. The story, set in ancient Mesopotamia, is told by Tag, Tobias's faithful dog, and should appeal to children aged 10 and up.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2012
255 people want to read
About the author
Janet Doolaege
15 books42 followersI was born in England but have lived for most of my life in France, working for a number of years as a translator.
Birds, other animals and the environment in general have always been important to me. I’ve written a book about two birds that I rescued when they were very young: Ebony and Spica, a blackbird and a starling. My life would have been very different without these unforgettable characters.
I’ve published four novels in ebook format. Two are set in Paris, and I’ve tried to make them both realistic and eerie: A Paris Haunting and Candlepower. Woman in Blue and White is set partly in Paris and partly in Greece. The Road through the Woods, set in England this time, is a sequel to Candlepower, but it can be read as a standalone. All my novels contain hints of the strange and unexplained.
Besides these, there are four stories for children: The Story of an Ordinary Lion, Flora and the Wolf, Tobias and the Demon and The Christmas Dolls' House. The first three are lively and detailed retellings of old legends, two of them told from the animal’s point of view. The lion story is also available in Italian. The Christmas Dolls' House is a story of magic and friendship between two girls, and the fascination of miniature things. All are downloadable, and they can all be purchased as illustrated paperbacks (except for The Christmas Dolls' House, soon to be published in paperback).
Although I feel very much at home in France after so many years, I still read mostly in English and in particular have tremendous admiration for the treasure-house of children’s literature in the English language. I would never be parted from my favourite old books for children.
Birds, other animals and the environment in general have always been important to me. I’ve written a book about two birds that I rescued when they were very young: Ebony and Spica, a blackbird and a starling. My life would have been very different without these unforgettable characters.
I’ve published four novels in ebook format. Two are set in Paris, and I’ve tried to make them both realistic and eerie: A Paris Haunting and Candlepower. Woman in Blue and White is set partly in Paris and partly in Greece. The Road through the Woods, set in England this time, is a sequel to Candlepower, but it can be read as a standalone. All my novels contain hints of the strange and unexplained.
Besides these, there are four stories for children: The Story of an Ordinary Lion, Flora and the Wolf, Tobias and the Demon and The Christmas Dolls' House. The first three are lively and detailed retellings of old legends, two of them told from the animal’s point of view. The lion story is also available in Italian. The Christmas Dolls' House is a story of magic and friendship between two girls, and the fascination of miniature things. All are downloadable, and they can all be purchased as illustrated paperbacks (except for The Christmas Dolls' House, soon to be published in paperback).
Although I feel very much at home in France after so many years, I still read mostly in English and in particular have tremendous admiration for the treasure-house of children’s literature in the English language. I would never be parted from my favourite old books for children.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 13, 2020
Janet Doolaege’s synopsis of her children’s book on the Amazon website tells us that this is an adventure story, with a hint of mystery, that should appeal to children ages 10 and up. The book has in fact a much wider reach than that, and is constructed on more than simple adventure and mystery. Embedded in the interactions between Tobias and Azarias, Tobias and his parents, and Tobias and Sara are universal themes that will resonate with an audience comprising children, and far beyond.
That the principal narrator is Tag the dog certainly makes these themes accessible to children, and adults are sure to appreciate the whimsy. However the playfulness of a canine narrator could also lead one to read over the lessons that emerge as the tale unfolds, lessons that are as important for the young reader as they are for the not quite as young. For while the tale of Tobias and Tag is an adventure to be sure, it is ultimately a didactic journey and the forging of a hero.
In Tag’s voice, children will hear the value of unconditional love and loyalty. Their experience of compassion and forgiving is made intimate and personal through Tag and his omniscient first-person narration of his emotions and reactions to the humans around him.
Greater lessons are to be observed in the narrative surrounding Tobias himself. The “adventure” or mission that had been given to Tobias is in fact a voyage of self-discovery. Tobias sets out on this odyssey as an inexperienced youth, and much like Ulysses, returns a wiser man, a hero. His youthful impetuosity and impulsive anger have been tempered by the experiences of his journey and the role model Azarias. What a valuable lesson for children to know that people can change and grow, and that one’s character can develop and mature with experience.
Another important lesson that can be derived from Tobias and the Demon is crucial to children’s understanding of today’s society. That lesson confronts oppression and discrimination of minorities and is presented as Tobias is beaten and jailed by Assyrian soldiers simply for being a member of the Naphthali tribe. The young Tobias suffers this kind of oppression at the outset of the novel and again when he returns to Nineveh as a husband and a heroic prodigal son who cures his father’s blindness and rescues his family from the oppressive Assyrian rule. This crucial episode in the novel, after all of the tribulations that Tobias has had to endure, and the lessons that he has had to process, is a lesson for all ages about fairness and justice in the world. There is a reward for goodness, and we see that in Tobias’ happy marriage with Sara after he has vanquished the demon, his father’s money has been recovered, and has gained insight into his own nature. However, his treatment at the hands of the Assyrian guards demonstrates that even good people may be subjected to shameful discrimination and oppression, and the good must turn inwards to find ways to respond to that oppression. How appropriate a message is this at a time when society continues to witness unparalleled civic brutality!
In Tobias and the Demon, Janet Doolaege has crafted a literary object-to-think-with, a touchstone of fiction that helps put the non-fiction of life into a perspective that both young and old can understand, each on their own levels. The lessons of grace, love, belief and faith are part of the larger lesson about the balance of life. Young children will be enthralled with the story, and no doubt so will grown-ups.
That the principal narrator is Tag the dog certainly makes these themes accessible to children, and adults are sure to appreciate the whimsy. However the playfulness of a canine narrator could also lead one to read over the lessons that emerge as the tale unfolds, lessons that are as important for the young reader as they are for the not quite as young. For while the tale of Tobias and Tag is an adventure to be sure, it is ultimately a didactic journey and the forging of a hero.
In Tag’s voice, children will hear the value of unconditional love and loyalty. Their experience of compassion and forgiving is made intimate and personal through Tag and his omniscient first-person narration of his emotions and reactions to the humans around him.
Greater lessons are to be observed in the narrative surrounding Tobias himself. The “adventure” or mission that had been given to Tobias is in fact a voyage of self-discovery. Tobias sets out on this odyssey as an inexperienced youth, and much like Ulysses, returns a wiser man, a hero. His youthful impetuosity and impulsive anger have been tempered by the experiences of his journey and the role model Azarias. What a valuable lesson for children to know that people can change and grow, and that one’s character can develop and mature with experience.
Another important lesson that can be derived from Tobias and the Demon is crucial to children’s understanding of today’s society. That lesson confronts oppression and discrimination of minorities and is presented as Tobias is beaten and jailed by Assyrian soldiers simply for being a member of the Naphthali tribe. The young Tobias suffers this kind of oppression at the outset of the novel and again when he returns to Nineveh as a husband and a heroic prodigal son who cures his father’s blindness and rescues his family from the oppressive Assyrian rule. This crucial episode in the novel, after all of the tribulations that Tobias has had to endure, and the lessons that he has had to process, is a lesson for all ages about fairness and justice in the world. There is a reward for goodness, and we see that in Tobias’ happy marriage with Sara after he has vanquished the demon, his father’s money has been recovered, and has gained insight into his own nature. However, his treatment at the hands of the Assyrian guards demonstrates that even good people may be subjected to shameful discrimination and oppression, and the good must turn inwards to find ways to respond to that oppression. How appropriate a message is this at a time when society continues to witness unparalleled civic brutality!
In Tobias and the Demon, Janet Doolaege has crafted a literary object-to-think-with, a touchstone of fiction that helps put the non-fiction of life into a perspective that both young and old can understand, each on their own levels. The lessons of grace, love, belief and faith are part of the larger lesson about the balance of life. Young children will be enthralled with the story, and no doubt so will grown-ups.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2018
As a former English teacher, I still sometimes get asked for my opinion about suitable literature for children. Based on my experiences with young readers, I believe these books should be well-written in flawless English, and have an interesting storyline that engages the attention and provokes thought and discussion, as well as moving the story along at a good pace. To my mind, ‘Tobias and the Demon’ ticks all those boxes.
Set in a distant time and land (Mesopotamia), it also offers a different cultural and social perspective to the usual modern children’s literature and this makes me think it would make a valuable class reader for children aged approximately 10-12, or independent readers on either side of that range.
The story is told by Tag—Tobias’ affectionate and fiercely loyal dog—which gives it a different and endearing touch. Through Tag’s narrative voice, we follow Tobias and his mysterious, wise and exotic companion, Azarias on their quest to recover the silver that is the final asset belonging to his impoverished family who are barely existing under the tyrannical Assyrian regime in their homeland, Nineveh.
Tobias sets out full of youthful optimism and bravado on a perilous mission from Nineveh across hostile country to Rhagae. His journey turns out to be an almost impossible quest as he and Tag encounter numerous obstacles and life-threatening dangers, not least of all an encounter with a powerful and terrible demon. For Tobias it becomes a journey from boyhood to manhood as he fights for his life in order to save Sara, a young girl trapped under the most horrific curse imaginable.
‘Tobias and the Demon’ is a magical story about faith, trust, friendship and love. It is beautifully told in accessibly modern language, and is a tale full of unexpected twists, turns and nail-biting excitement. More than just a story, this lovely saga is a delightful experience that children will not forget in a hurry. It almost makes me wish I was still teaching, so I could share the magic with whole classes of young readers.
Set in a distant time and land (Mesopotamia), it also offers a different cultural and social perspective to the usual modern children’s literature and this makes me think it would make a valuable class reader for children aged approximately 10-12, or independent readers on either side of that range.
The story is told by Tag—Tobias’ affectionate and fiercely loyal dog—which gives it a different and endearing touch. Through Tag’s narrative voice, we follow Tobias and his mysterious, wise and exotic companion, Azarias on their quest to recover the silver that is the final asset belonging to his impoverished family who are barely existing under the tyrannical Assyrian regime in their homeland, Nineveh.
Tobias sets out full of youthful optimism and bravado on a perilous mission from Nineveh across hostile country to Rhagae. His journey turns out to be an almost impossible quest as he and Tag encounter numerous obstacles and life-threatening dangers, not least of all an encounter with a powerful and terrible demon. For Tobias it becomes a journey from boyhood to manhood as he fights for his life in order to save Sara, a young girl trapped under the most horrific curse imaginable.
‘Tobias and the Demon’ is a magical story about faith, trust, friendship and love. It is beautifully told in accessibly modern language, and is a tale full of unexpected twists, turns and nail-biting excitement. More than just a story, this lovely saga is a delightful experience that children will not forget in a hurry. It almost makes me wish I was still teaching, so I could share the magic with whole classes of young readers.
December 17, 2014
Tobias and Tag, the dog, have to leave Nineveh in a hurry after Tobias gets in a fight. They set off to find Tobias’s kinsman, Gabael, and are guided by a mysterious stranger who plays wonderful music. But the way is difficult and dangerous and it ends in a quest which may cost Tobias his life.
The story is told by Tag, the dog and is full of the smells and sensations of ancient Mesopotamia. Except for the stranger, who has no smell at all.
I read this to my grandchildren, aged 8 and 10 and they were SO excited by the story. There was one particular phrase that made them laugh out loud every time it came up – ‘dogs must never bite people’.
I must say I really enjoyed the story myself, even though I am considerably more than ten years old. It is beautifully-written in flawless English, the characters are well-drawn and the plot is exciting. It reminded me a little of ‘The Thief of Baghdad’ which also has a dog, albeit a bewitched one, as a main character.
This is one of those stories which, like the Harry Potter series, will appeal to adults as well as children. I recommend it most highly.
The story is told by Tag, the dog and is full of the smells and sensations of ancient Mesopotamia. Except for the stranger, who has no smell at all.
I read this to my grandchildren, aged 8 and 10 and they were SO excited by the story. There was one particular phrase that made them laugh out loud every time it came up – ‘dogs must never bite people’.
I must say I really enjoyed the story myself, even though I am considerably more than ten years old. It is beautifully-written in flawless English, the characters are well-drawn and the plot is exciting. It reminded me a little of ‘The Thief of Baghdad’ which also has a dog, albeit a bewitched one, as a main character.
This is one of those stories which, like the Harry Potter series, will appeal to adults as well as children. I recommend it most highly.
August 13, 2018
I enjoyed reading Tobias and the Demon, and I am looking forward to reading it to a child!
So many details made me want to carry on with Tobias and Tag on their journey, until the very end (it is the first time in a long time I was not disappointed by the end of a book).
I could not possibly have thought I would be moved by a dog (Tag, the narrator). I look at dogs differently since I finished reading the book, and like to imagine dialogues between the animals I see in the street.
So many details made me want to carry on with Tobias and Tag on their journey, until the very end (it is the first time in a long time I was not disappointed by the end of a book).
I could not possibly have thought I would be moved by a dog (Tag, the narrator). I look at dogs differently since I finished reading the book, and like to imagine dialogues between the animals I see in the street.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews