Toby the wombat lives with the Fingland family, staying home while his human friends Angela and Ben both go to school. He's so lonely, he longs to go with them. Instead, he must stay home and wait for them to return. Until his fifth birthday, that is.
Both Angela and Ben started attending school when they turned five, so Toby has been waiting and waiting for this day. Now he's five, he can go to school with them!
But his friends have other ideas. Rather than take him seriously, and walk him to school with them, they chuckle at the thought of a wombat at school.
Luckily, Mrs Fingland devises a plan. Will Toby finally be able to go to school with Angela and Ben?
Toby Goes to School is based on the true story of Toby the wombat, who was raised by the Fingland family (who run a wildlife park near Brisbane). Toby was found as a baby by the side of the road in South Australia and given to the Finglands to raise, and they were thrilled to have him be a part of a gorgeous picture book by Steve Parish Publishing.
As one would expect, the photographs in this book are stunning:
This gorgeous, cuddly wombat is irresistible, as are the two beautiful animal-loving children. And the story? Well, that's just as lovely. Toby the wombat has plenty of dialogue, making him seem almost part-human, and the text will suit early readers as well as younger children.
This is a lovable, heartwarming story for all children.
Title: Toby Goes to School
Author: Karin Cox
Photographer: Steve Parish
Publisher: Steve Parish Publishing, $9.95 RRP
Publication Date: 2009
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781741935318
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture book
This book is available online
