The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

by Betty Dravis

Exciting Fantasy Adventure - "From journalism to adult fiction, and now young adult fiction, Betty Dravis knows how to weave intriguing stories. Children all around the world will love this fun, exciting, fantasy adventure. The kid in me longed to chase around Silicon Valley with the 'good' Toonies and their 'humanoid' friends as they raced the clock to save Orange Computer and Silicon Valley from the 'bad' Toonies. If people could move around as easily as the Toonies leap from their world to ours, my transportation job would be much easier." - Hon. Rod Diridon, Sr., Executive Director of the Mineta Transportation Institute, SJSU - Lovable Characters - "Betty Dravis's The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley is a fun romp through the adventures of Computer Cartoon Land characters ... both good and bad. The good Toonies are led by an orange-haired, bushy-browed Toonie boy named Doog. Doog sets out to help his human counterpart, Jeremy Kern, with a parental problem, but they end up saving the world instead. Kids will enjoy the colorful illustrations, along with the lovable characters that fill this book." - Chris Platt, author of the young adult, award-winning Willow King books - Unexpected Suspense - "An enjoyable morality fable that keeps its wisdom between the lines. The young and young at heart will enjoy this battle over Silicon Valley as a young cartoonist tries to save the day. At times, it seems the bad 'Toonies' will win, making for unexpected suspense for this kind of story." - Paul Kyriazi, movie director, author of How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle - The First of its Kind -" The plot is fresh and the characters lifelike. The story will appeal to children of all ages. The settingis Silicon Valley, commonly known to many as the Computer Technology Rim. The storyline is the first of its kind, comparable to classic books such as 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Peter Pan' where children experience an adventure outside the norm and overcome obstacles or enemies." - Janet Sue Terry, contemporary romance author of Possibilities and Resolutions.

164 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2005

About the author

My latest news is astonishing...even to me. My HEAVY METAL short story (published in "Six-Pack of Blood") has been chosen for a short-film. It's in production now by SGMM Productions (out of Florida) with Scott Parrish as director. Please LIKE the FB page my producer, Marie Moore, posted.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/From-S... …

HEAVY METAL will star award-winning actress/models Marie Moore as mother; Sammy Moore as Johnny and Gabby Moore as Joyce.

Needless to say, I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE. A long-time dream coming true:

Best with all your works in 2014.

Hugs - Betty Dravis



WHAT FAMOUS MOVIE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR ARMAND MASTROIANNI SAYS ABOUT "SIX-PACK OF BLOOD" (co-author Barbara Watkins):

"This is a feast expertly cooked up by master chefs venturing into the dark side designed to leave us captivated, enthralled and horrified. The perfect dish to accompany your six-pack...or if you prefer, a fine wine." - Armand Mastroianni, Producer/Director, Silver Screen Pictures, Hollywood

LEGENDARY MOVIE DIRECTOR ARMAND MASTROIANNI WROTE THE FOREWORD FOR "SIX-PACK OF BLOOD." (TV's DARK SHADOWS & FRIDAY THE 13TH PLUS FILMS OF DANIELLE STEELE AND ROBIN COOK BOOKS)
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ACCLAIMED MOVIE DIRECTOR KATT SHEA WROTE THE FOREWORD FOR MY LATEST BOOK "SIX-PACK OF FEAR" (co-author Barbara Watkins").
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Betty Dravis is a retired newspaper publisher and career journalist who also hosted a Cable TV talk show. She is a celebrity interviewer and author of seven books, including her latest three e-books, 'SIX-PACK OF FEAR", "Six-Pack of Blood" (both with Barbara Watkins) and "Star Struck: Interviews with Dirty Harry and Other Hollywood Icons."

Three of her books are novels in print and e-book format: "1106 Grand Boulevard", "The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley" and "Millennium Babe: The Prophecy". Two others are nonfiction in print: "Dream Reachers" and "Dream Reachers II," collections of celebrity interviews (with Chase Von).

Dravis also wrote three short stories that were consistent best-sellers in the Amazon Shorts program and had short stories published in the anthologies "Every Child is Entitled to Innocence," "Sweet Sunshine," "Just Our Best Short Stories 2005." She recently finished her first full-length horror/paranormal book "Evil Voices" (unpublished at present).

She is the devoted mother of six (two are now angels), grandmother of nine, and has five great-grands and one great-great grand. Dravis, a decades-long resident of Silicon Valley, currently resides in the Central Valley of California. She's a Kentucky Colonel, an honorary title bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky, featured in two Who's Who books and former San Jose (CA) Woman of Achievement. She's also a member of American Author Association (AAA) and Dames of Dialogue, a former member of Sigma Delta Chi and San Jose Newspaper Guild and is an Amazon and Midwest Books Reviewer with over 770 reviews to her credit.

Her most recent awards are: DIRECTOR'S CHOICE/BEST PARANORMAL/FEAR BOOK presented for "SIX-PACK OF FEAR" and BEST PARANORMAL/HORROR BOOK presented for "Six-Pack of Blood" by Dimi Nakov, producer/director of ZODIAC ENTERTAINMENT of New Zealand. She also placed in TOP 20 IN BEST OF WOMEN'S FICTION for her "1106 GRAND BOULEVARD," presented by Heart Press, and she placed 18th in the 4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SHORTY AWARDS (author division).

She is currently in 10th place in The Fifth Annual Shorty Awards (author).

Betty is also working to promote Stem Cell Research, along with her daughter Mindy James whose son Seth suffered a spinal cord injury in a motocross practice race. Read Seth's story on the Internet at Bridges to Hope.

Another of Dravis's favorite things is interviewing; among those she has interviewed are the "living legend" actor/director/producer Clint Eastwood, country singer/actress Tanya Tucker, the l

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

In this charming story of good versus evil, author Betty Dravis introduces us to the Toonies. Small beings who live in Cartoon Land, the world inside of our computers, the Toonies, like humans, come in good and bad form. Although some of them look a lot like us, others, such as the Mischief-Makers, resemble ape-like birds. But I bet you're wondering what the heck Toonies have to do with Silicon Valley, aren't you?

Thirteen-year-old Jeremy Kern is a young cartoonist/illustrator with his own very popular cartoon, "Doog Days." Absolutely enamored with his Apple computer, nicknamed "Wiseguy," Jeremy spends a lot of his time creating and updating the characters involved in his "Doog Days" cartoon. The world of the Toonies provides a reprieve for Jeremy, since his parents seem to be constantly arguing ever since his dad lost his job.

But the day Doog, the main character from his cartoon, jumps out of his computer and enters Jeremy's real life is a little bit beyond imagination. Doog is on a mission, though, and he won't quit until he convinces Jeremy that the world he has created is more than just fiction.

It seems that, in Cartoon Land, there's a Mischief-Maker named Dab who will do anything to stay in the real world. He plans to take over all of the computers he can -- hoping, one day, to even take over the world. But Doog, working under the guidance of the leader of Cartoon Land, Uncle Wom, is on a quest to stop Dab and his fellow Mischief-Makers before bad things start to happen in the real world. Along with his fellow Toonies, they need Jeremy's help, and his expertise, to stop Dab.

This is a great science-fiction fantasy story for kids of all ages, or for those who are young at heart. Although the story of good versus evil has been told thousands of time, it's never been told quite like this. You'll appreciate Ms. Dravis' insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of a young teenager's mind, and laugh-out-loud at the humorous scenarios her humans and Toonies find themselves in. This story is a real winner!

[Chase Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Isn't This A Movie??????? Hummph By Hummph!!!, January 3, 2009
By Chase Von (California) - See all my reviews



Golly By Golly!!! This book is off the charts!!!

I can't tell you how many times I smiled, laughed out loud and paused and scratched my head in wonderment that this isn't yet at the box offices!

It's written for children and although the targeted group is 8 to 13 years of age. Adults will thoroughly enjoy this as well! I did! This book is an amazing tale of a boy who writes a comic strip. And low and behold one of them comes out his computer and the adventure begins!

The characters are all so well depicted that I found myself visualizing this as if it already were a movie! And that isn't anything special on my part mind you, because I am quite sure that who ever else reads this will find themselves imagining it as a movie as well!

Speaking of movies, Hollywood really must be a sleep at the wheel to not be acting on this one!

It is like a children's version of "The Matrix" and I am sure with the "Computer Graphics" they have now they could make this one into another timeless classic comparable to "Back To The Future" ET, Bridge To Terabithia and yes, even the Wizard Of Oz!

Those are the kind of feelings it generates in the reader:)

It's also chalk full of wisdom and most importantly, how the adults in this book work together and find out things about one another as well as allowing the children to solve things and thus learning how to do things on their own.

The Toonies?

I can already see them being handed out in Happy Meals at McDonalds:)

Dab was quite the villain and Doog and all the others are so well described that you can imagine them yourself but the book also has illustrations by Kristine Soza Arizzone, this incredible author's granddaughter that wonderfully show this cast of characters and melt your heart as well!

If you happen to read this review and you are a librarian, I highly suggest you order this for your libraries!

The kids will love you for it!

It's an epic adventure that concerns saving the very world and I imagine even kids that don't like to read, will get hooked on this one! And adults as well! I know I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!

Buy this book for a child you love and do read it yourself for the child in you!

I'm sure you'll loved it and after reading, ask yourselves what I began this with...

Why isn't something this great and wholesome and what children really should be seeing and reading a movie???

Chase Von

Your Chance to Hear The Last Panther Speak

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

TOONIES -- What's in YOUR computer?

My friend across the country from me took this and another book to Guam, and when she got back she sent them to me to take on my trip to Australia. It was our little joke, a "Sisterhood of the Traveling Books." I thought it looked like good airplane reading so I started it in Maine and finished it over the Pacific. What a fun book!

Betty Dravis tells a great little story about a teenaged cartoonist named Jeremy Kern whose characters step out of his computer. Your attention will be grabbed by the delightful inhabitants of Cartoon Land, but the top-notch human characters more than hold their own. Jeremy and his friends Buddy and Ashley practically jump off the pages themselves, their issues, interests and dialogue are so vivid. They're smart, inquisitive kids with nurturing natures and a sense of responsibility -- and what an adventure they have! Wouldn't you like all the kids you know to be just like them?

The Toonies are enormous fun. Their characteristics and background are described in enough detail to engage and entertain the reader, but by no means overwhelm the rocking story line. The good and the bad Toonies have their own culture, history and idiom -- golly-by-golly, they do! I wonder if anyone else will be reminded of THE BORROWERS, the Carnegie Medal-winning classic by Mary Norton? TOONIES has the same delightful feel while being thoroughly modern. (Hint, hint: there were a number of sequels to THE BORROWERS -- we sure would like to see more of the Toonies! Where are they going to turn up next?)

TOONIES deals with some tough issues and models some excellent approaches to them. Jeremy's parents Arthur and Jessica are having problems, but they drop their squabbling to get involved in the Toonies crisis, supporting their son all the way. Along with Steve "The Woz" Wozniak, Jeremy and his family and friends use all their creativity and courage to fight off the evil challenge of the Mischief Makers.

TOONIES is aimed at kids aged 8 to 13. When I was that age I loved stories with a strong sense of place, and I still enjoy that in a book. Somebody's sure to see a fun movie in it, but don't wait for that because the book is so rewarding. Kristy Soza Ardizzone's illustrations are the perfect finishing touch and will inspire your own imagination.

Here's a win-win idea -- read TOONIES to a child this month, or take turns reading it to each other! You'll have some giggles and some excitement, and maybe a chance to talk about a few things kids should know about the world.
Comment

[Barbara Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley
Author: Betty Dravis
Publisher: Just My Best
ISBN# 978-1932586299
Pages: 164


“The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley” is a magical piece of genius”


For anyone who wants to get in touch with their inner child, to experience the utmost adventure into a world where your imagination can run wild and free – ‘The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley’ will take you there and beyond! Davis’s storyline is unique and the characters are adorable.

With each turn of the page, I found myself visualizing the characters and all the while smiling – occasionally wiping away a tear. This story is more than just a gallop through fantasyland, it conveys how important it is to have, and to keep, a close family relationship – to work through the everyday confusion that we all experience.

Jeremy is an imaginative young lad who has created a comic strip like no other, full of colorful characters with exceptional abilities. Problems soon arise when he finds it difficult to ignore his parents sudden bickering at one another. It is at this time that we are introduced to ‘Doog’ – a cartoon character that is so clearly depicted by the writer, I forgot for a moment that he was a doodle. To Jeremy’s astonishment, Doog leaps from the computer screen and into the world of the living, and an instant friendship is born. However, Doog quickly explains that there are those in the cyber world that are not as friendly as he – doodles that want to escape and rule the world. Together with uncle Wom – a wise old doodle of a man, and several other lively characters, they embark on a journey to protect the living against the evil cyber bullies.

The dialogue is delicious and fresh as the story flows with ease. Betty Dravis has created an original, witty, imaginative, and just all out brilliant work of genius. I see an award winning comic strip and movie in the future for this amazing piece of literature – as well as for the creator, Betty Dravis. I have no doubt that children and adults alike will treasure this book, and will want to pass it on to generations.

Review by, Barbara Watkins

[Dixie Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun read, and easy to visualize. It reminded me a bit of the human and toonie interactions in "Roger Rabbit" and made me laugh with delight at times. I loved the characters in the story, but human and Toonies, especially the wise old toonie and the evil minion known as "third."

This is a story that is really hard to classify as being for any one particular group of readers. I think it would make a great book to be read aloud by an adult to the family or to a classroom. There is an appeal that would cross ages in the characters and their unique personalities. They also deal with very common problems in ways that are quite uncommon.

The author considers the fact that Steve Wozniak gave her permission to use his voice as one of her speaking characters to be a selling point of the book, and it is, but once you have read the story, the "Woz" and his partner Steve Jobs will not be the ones who have won your hearts. The point where the book takes a side journey out of reality and the world where the two Steve's created Apple Computer, vanishes into a fantasy land with "Orange Computer" dominating, is really the point where you know this is, and isn't our world, but would be a fun place to visit.

[Elizabeth Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betty Dravis has done it again! If I were to try to describe the plot of this book, I would sound like a complete doofus. This seemingly corny-as-heck story is surprisingly in-depth and fun! I want Toonies to live in MY computer! Golly by golly! There are funny quips, heartwarming puppy-love, wrenching drama, and epic battle scenes! There are even tanker trucks full of soup! A delightful story, that will be enjoyed by all age groups. You should pick up your own copy, Pronto-Toronto!

[pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

funny.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book to read. As I read it, I could see the entire story in my head! What a great imagination the author has.

[Krisi Keley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review coming soon.