Toby

by Hazel Mitchell

A heartwarming story about the growing bond between a child and a new pet—inspired by the author’s experience with a rescue dog of the same name.

When a young boy and his father move from one house to another, they decide to adopt a dog from the local rescue shelter. But their chosen dog, Toby, is having a tough time adjusting to his new life outside the shelter—howling all night, hiding fearfully from his new humans, forgetting where to go to the bathroom, and chasing a ball through the flower bed. The boy has promised to train his new companion, and he’s trying his best, but Dad is starting to get exasperated. Will Toby ever feel comfortable with his new family and settle into his forever home, or will Dad decide he’s not the right dog for them after all?

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Fiction, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Adoption

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2016

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When he moves to a new house with his father, a young boy asks and is given permission to get a dog. After visiting the local shelter, he selects Toby, a cute but rather shy young canine. Although eager to play with and train his new companion, the boy discovers that Toby is sometimes frightened and withdrawn, and doesn't immediately learn to obey commands to sit or fetch. When Toby gets into a little trouble - making a mess inside the house, destroying a bed of flowers - the boy's father suggests that perhaps Toby isn't the right dog for them. Can Toby and the boy prove him wrong...?

A sweet tale is paired with delightfully charming illustrations in Toby, artist Hazel Mitchell's debut as an author/illustrator. Based upon the experiences of her own rescue poodle, Mitchell's story highlights an important message about giving shelter animals time to adjust to their new lives, and having patience with them when they at first seem uncooperative. I enjoyed the tale, and found the artwork, done in pencil and watercolor, immensely appealing. Mitchell captures both her human and canine characters' various emotional states beautifully, making the happy ending especially satisfying. Recommended to young dog-lovers, and to anyone looking for children's stories that address getting a companion animal from a shelter.

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOBY is a sweet book based on the author-illustrator's real rescue poodle. Love the simple, yet poignant cover, the detailed and different endpapers, the emotion-rich illustrations, and the real-world perspective that adopting pets isn't always instant joy for either pet or person. The story felt a bit thin, but overall a "treat."

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet rescue dog story.

[Sophie Riggsby / allthingsequilateral · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Review posted on Page Turners Blog on 9/30/2016*

We don't review childrens' books on Page Turners Blog very often, but this story touched my heart. Maybe because I have two little fluffhounds, and one of them has such a similar story to Toby's.

Toby's story starts when a boy moves into a new house and asks his Dad if they could adopt a dog from the shelter. But, the road to adjusting to a new forever home is sometimes rough for a pet as well as the new owner, and Hazel does a wonderful job of highlighting the challenges. She also points out something that all of us parents say -- that bit about how the kid will help out with the dog. Patience and love tend to be the right formula for the toughest pet adoptions, and you will have to pick up the book to see if that stays true for Toby.

This story is for those of us who love our pets and consider them a family member. If you want to celebrate your own pet's adoption or prepare a child for the possibility of a pet adoption, this is the perfect storybook for you. The illustrations are magical and make the bond between the boy and Toby come alive. And Toby simply jumps off the page. He is equal parts worried, tired, stressed, mischievous, playful and helpful.

[Tj Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a rescue dog. Wonderful and fun artwork!

[Cassandra Doon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Toby
Author: Hazel Mitchell
Genre: Picture books, Children’s Books
Recommend: Yes
Amount of Pages 32
My feelings:

I really enjoy children's books. And read them to my kids every night. But one thing I don't do is review them. Why I don't know, but I decided it was time to start.
Toby is a heartwarming and poignant story, accompanied by charming illustrations that bring the characters and their journey to life. This book marks artist Hazel Mitchell's debut as an author and illustrator, showcasing her immense talent and passion for storytelling. Drawing inspiration from her own experience with a rescue poodle, Mitchell crafts a touching tale that emphasizes the importance of giving shelter animals time to adjust to their new homes. Her words carry a meaningful message of patience and empathy towards these animals who may initially seem uncooperative or difficult to connect with. The illustrations, created with delicate pencil strokes and vibrant watercolors, add depth and emotion to the story. Mitchell expertly captures the range of emotions in both her human and canine characters, making the happy ending all the more satisfying. I highly recommend this book to young dog lovers, as well as anyone seeking heartwarming children's literature that addresses the topic of adopting a pet from a shelter. It is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers of all ages.

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Nice pictures but the story was a bit disappointing.

[Roben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Toby! He's having a hard time adjusting to the dad and son who have rescued him from a local animal shelter. Toby makes messes, digs up gardens and wreaks general havoc. His young new master is working hard to train him but Dad's not so sure that Toby is the right dog for them. A genuine look at the difficulties that some rescue dogs may have in adapting to their new homes and the patience needed by their owners to work with them. Not always an easy task but hopefully one that has a happy ending.

[Michelle (FabBookReviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers, meet Toby! Hazel Mitchell's picture book debut as author and illustrator, Toby is a compassionate and sweet story about a rescue dog, his new owners, and their process of becoming a family.

At the onset of the story, we meet a young boy and his father who have recently moved into a new place. Soon after spotting a neighbor walk their dog and seeing a poster for an animal rescue, the young boy asks his dad if they can get a dog. Following a promise to be responsible for a new pet, son and dad soon visit the animal shelter. The young boy immediately connects with a white dog named Toby and happily brings him home. Alas, things do not go as smoothly as he had hoped. Toby hides, is nervous and shy, and howls away through the night. The boy wonders why Toby- now with all the love and treats and food he could want- is not happy. After a reminder from his dad to be patient, it looks as though things are finally looking up! Toby learns commands, plays and has fun...but the fun turns into a little too much fun that ends in one big mess, one frustrated dad, and one very worried young boy. Will Toby be able to stay?

A quiet story that gets its strength from Mitchell's demonstrative (yet muted) illustrations, Toby is a poignant and hopeful story of a rescue dog. The illustrations of the young boy, his dad and Toby are really lovely- you can see just about every flicker of emotion running through the characters' faces. As with the illustrations, the text in the story- a mixture of the boy's first person narration, and dialogue- is also restrained and calm, even at the most heightened and climactic moments of the story. Mitchell herself has rescued dogs (including the real-life inspiration for Toby!) and the feel of care, carefulness and understanding shines through in this story. It is a true-to-life story well-placed in the pages of a picture book: one filled with love, kindness and hope for a young audience but one that doesn't shy away from showing mistakes and the importance of hard work and patience.

Overall, Toby is a sweet and touching story to add to the oeuvre of beautiful picture books about dogs and their families. Readers who loves a heartwarming animal story- from animal lovers to dog enthusiasts to rescuers of shelter dogs and beyond; or readers and fans of titles such as Scrawny Cat, The Stray Dog, or Widget, might especially love the thoughtfulness in Toby. Full of Hazel Mitchell's gently expressive illustrations and serene narration, this title is sure to find its loving and appreciative audience with both children and adults.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Hazel Mitchell and Candlewick Press for the purposes of this post and in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.

[Stephanie Croaning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heart-warming picture book that does a wonderful job conveying the trials and rewards of adopting a rescue dog.

Toby
by Hazel Mitchell
Candlewick Press, 2016
Picture book, fiction
Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 1.5
4 out of 5 stars

Toby is the story of the love between a boy and the dog that he selects from the animal shelter. What makes this book special and different is that Hazel Mitchell has accurately portrayed the realities that accompany adopting a dog.

At first, Toby is scared and frightened in his new home and doesn't want to play with the boy. Toby also has accidents in the house, chews things he shouldn't, and fails in the boy's first attempts at dog training. With time and continued training, Toby eventually becomes the perfect pet for his new family.

The realities of adopting a new pet is that it is usually very difficult at the beginning. There are not a lot of moments of puppy perfection and of instant trust and love. This is why so many pets end up in shelters and rescues each year. Hazel Mitchell has written a book that shows young readers the realities of adopting a pet in a realistic and appropriate way. As someone involved with dog rescue, I wish every adopter had to read and discuss the truths found in this heartwarming story!

The author has used the endpapers inside the cover to frame the story, so I encourage readers to make sure not to miss them.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not everyone makes transitions easily, as seen in this story about a dog named Toby, and the father and son who adopt him. The boy has dreams of a dog who will play with him, and go for walks like the girl and her dog that he sees along the street. Toby hides, is easily scared, and chews Dad's glasses. The boy keeps working with him, gives him a special toy (which you see the dog carries with him, and sleeps with) and eventually warms up to the family.

This is a great story about how Toby reacts to new things, and how the boy works with him to ease his fears and settle in. I also like how natural it is for there to just be a father and son in the family. The illustrations are well done, and use color shades to help express how the boy is feeling, giving depth to the text.

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story about a dog named Toby. It will tug at your heart and put a smile on your face. Toby is adorable even though he has a tough time adjusting to the boy and his new forever home. The boy wants to connect with his new dog. The boy narrates the story. The boy expresses so much tenderness towards Toby, even when he chews a pair of glasses and tramples his father’s garden. The ending is endearing.  The text is spare and Hazel Mitchell’s illustrations are rendered in soft pastels. They are expressive and lively. Make sure you check out the end pages in the book. They set the stage for the story and wrap it up quite nicely.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story does a good job of carrying the message of patience and perseverance. I also like that the author has the boy reading a book on dog care. spoiler alert: The surprise ending made me smile, and I was relieved that Toby had not chewed up the sneaker!

The format leans toward 'graphic novel' with frames, some of which don't need text or dialogue to understand the story. It allows for discussion of why they moved, and the mother is notably absent.

We see a girl with her dog, but it's never mentioned in the text. Endpapers help introduce the story and give us a possible ending.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book written and illustrated by Hazel Mitchell was inspired by her dog Toby and the love for him really shows through with every word and beautiful illustration. I enjoyed this heartwarming book about a boy and his rescue dog and the bond they form together. I know children and their parents will enjoy TOBY, too.

[Kim Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Simple text and lovely illustrations. The joys, work and frustrations of having a new dog is lovingly portrayed. I love that the family is a dad and his son. A wonderful book.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every pet starts life knowing love. That's the case for Toby. When he is adopted by a young boy from a shelter, he doesn't want to play, or fetch, or even eat. But through the patience and love of the little boy, he finds a home.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.

Read about the real Toby here ---> http://bangordailynews.com/2016/10/05...

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a father and son who get a rescue dog that has trouble adjusting to his new home

[Michelle Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story about the adoption of a dog.

[Sue Poduska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of how quickly a pet can steal your heart and what you will do to help him adjust.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring story! A look at what it really means to have a dog friend, the ups and downs, and the awesomeness that comes with having a fuzzy best friend.

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute book for dog owners!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet reminder not to give up on difficult pets.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toby is a rescue dog that may be a bit high maintenance but a good dog is worth the trouble.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cybils nominee for Best Fiction Picture Book 2o16.

[Ashlyn Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
This story was about a boy who wanted a dog. He asked his father and his dad immediately said yes, but he had to take care of the dog. The boy and his father went to the pet store to pick out a dog. He fell in love with a dog named Toby. He brought Toby home, and it did not go as he expected. Toby had accidents in the floor, and did not want to play. He was hard to train and did not cooperate with his owner. The father told the boy to be patient with the dog. It took time and Toby grew to love his owner. He taught him tricks, and they became best friends.

Personal Thoughts:
This book was simple, but got the point across. It taught responsibility for children, and patience. Everyone can relate to dogs, and it is very relatable. The accidents that Toby had, reminded me of my dog when we first got her. This was an overall good story about the bond between a dog and his owner.

Classroom use:
I think that having this and using it in a classroom would be very beneficial. This book teaches responsibility, and patients. Most kids love dogs, and this lets kids relate. They can put themselves in the shoes of the owner, and learn to be patient and that you cannot give up even when things get hard.

[Morgan Haught]

Summary:
"Toby" is a book about a boy getting a new dog named Toby from the shelter after he moves into his new house. At first, Toby was shy and he did not like to play or listen to the boy. After a while of the boy trying to play with him and trying to teach him, Toby started to perk up. Then an accident happened with the boy's father's flowers. The boy then had to teach his pet some new tricks.
Analysis:
I thought this book was very heartwarming. It was very real in portraying that not all dogs are happy when you first introduce them into your home. I connected with this book because I had a similar experience with my dog, and now we are best friends. The words and illustrations went well together and it was a great read for those who love dogs.
How I can use this Book:
I can use this book in my classroom to appeal to boys and girls who love dogs. Sometimes it is hard to know just how much work goes into taking care of a pet, and this book is a good reminder of that. Children in my classroom might also connect with this book as well if they just recently got a dog or had a similar experience like I did with getting a new pet.

[Jane Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a lonely boy who imagines the fun of playing with a dog actually gets one? Things don't always go the way we think they will. But then again, they do.

This book is loosely based on Mitchell's own real-life Toby, a rescued poodle who has had his own share of adventures. In the book, a boy asks his dad for a dog. Dad says the usual--"If you take care of it...." They bring Toby home from the animal shelter, and the fun--and work--begin. Toby is afraid and unsure of his new surroundings. The boy is disappointed, but realizes that he must teach Toby and earn Toby's trust. Mitchell's illustrations so perfectly capture the emotions of both dog and boy throughout this process. I hope for more Toby stories, because I know he has more escapades to tell! (And who can resist that expressive little face?)

[Melody Sutton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Toby is a book about a little boy who moves to a new city and adopts a dog from a shelter when he gets there. The dog's name is Toby. Toby is very anxious when he first gets home. He won't eat or play. After a little while, Toby comes out of his shell and becomes like every other dog. He even chews his dad's glasses! By the end of the book, Toby loves his new home and is well adjusted. I had high expectations for this book since I am very passionate about shelter animals, but it disappointed me. I feel like it was uninteresting and would not keep kids attention. If I used this book in my class I would start by asking if anyone has a pet and if they were nervous when they first came home. Then we would transition to talking about if they are nervous when they go to a new place like Toby was, and what we should do if we get nervous.

[Alayna Ragle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: A little boy moves to a new home with his dad. He wants to get a dog, and his dad agrees. The boy picks out a dog from the animal shelter named Toby. Toby has a lot of trouble adjusting to his new home. He cries at night and is scared of everything, but the boy is patient and eventually trains him to sit, fetch, and lay down. The boy's father is still skeptical if Toby is a good choice for them, though. Then the boy loses a shoe and Toby is the one to find it. He is the perfect dog for the family.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the illustrations in this book more than the story. It was a sweet story, but the ending felt rushed and anticlimactic. I would use this book to talk to children about patience with others when they are scared or in a new place.