– 'TOGO' to the Rescue!
... a Halifax Explosion story.
- Publisher
- New World Publishing
- Initial publish date
- Sep 2020
- Category
- Horses, Pre-Confederation (to 1867)
- Recommended Reading age
- 7 to 10
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781989564219
- Publish Date
- Sep 2020
- List Price
- $13.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
TOGO to the Rescue: a Halifax Explosion story (for elementary school age children)
This is a story of TOGO, a grocery delivery horse and his owner (Uncle Arthur) in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 6, 1917. Their world is turned upside-down at precisely 9:04:35 AM on that fateful day by a cataclysmic event – the Halifax Explosion. In an instant, their world is turned upside-down, but they quickly spring into action to save a young boy trapped in the rubble.
Artfully illustrated adventure story, well-suited for elementary school age children (7-10), is the result of a collaboration by the mother-daughter team of schoolteachers, Laura King and Hannah Aubrecht. Share the poignant prose of Laura and the delightful, colourful sketches by illustrator, Hannah, who created this fascinating rescue adventure. While the story is fictional, it is based on real experiences of family members and friends who lived through this tragic event.
This book is a tribute to the heroism of so many, beginning with first responders and front-line medical staff, but including many ordinary citizens who stepped-up to help their neighbours.
About the authors
Contributor Notes
Hannah Aubrecht is an artist and school teacher based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A graduate of NSCAD University, Hannah has been painting, drawing and creating art as long as she can remember. ‘Togo’ to the Rescue is her first professional set of illustrations. This project is of particular importance to Hannah, as the book is authored by her mother, Laura and the story is inspired by their family's history. Hannah lives in Armdale with her husband Vianney and their dog Rollo.
Laura King was born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia. Her Grandmother narrowly escaped tragedy in the explosion; she and her sisters grew up listening to family stories of this cataclysmic event. The real life Togo was the inspiration for this, her first book. This book is of particular importance to Laura because it was illustrated by her daughter Hannah. Laura lives in Purcell’s Cove with her husband Mark and their dog Jacquie.
Excerpt: – 'TOGO' to the Rescue!: ... a Halifax Explosion story. (by (author) Laura King; illustrated by Hannah Aubrecht; edited by Francis G. Mitchell; guest editor Virginia Houston; by (artist) Janet Soley)
Can you believe that there was a time when people didn't use cars to go from place to place? It's true! And do you know how they travelled before cars or trucks or planes were invented? You won't believe it! By horse! Yes, a horse would pull a wagon, and people would sit in the wagon and go about their business of travelling from here to there.
Families loved their horses and treated them much like pets. But they were important pets because they had jobs to do – and one of those jobs was to pull the family cart or wagon. Families had to feed and care for their horses, and put them in the barn at night to sleep. Every day the families had to give their horses fresh hay and make sure they had plenty of water to drink. Their horse was a big part of the family.
Now, I'd like to tell you about a very special horse named TOGO, and how he became a hero. You see, TOGO didn’t start off as anything special. That’s right, no one could know that he was about to become a hero – he was just a regular horse doing a regular job.
Every day he pulled his cart around to all the corner stores, full of groceries from Uncle Arthur's warehouse. The corner stores would then sell the groceries to the people who relied on them for fresh food. TOGO and Uncle Arthur would go to the same stores every day bringing them food to sell to people in each community, so they could take the groceries home to eat for supper.
LATER As morning approached, the snowy winds began to slow. TOGO wearily trotted by a large pile of boards, glass and other wreckage. He thought he heard a little voice calling out. His ears were sharp and, even though he was tired, he thought he recognized that voice! Could it be Ernie? Ernie must be nearby, but where? TOGO stopped and carefully listened.
Uncle Arthur urged him on. His ears were not as good as Togo’s and he did not hear little Ernie's voice calling out to them. But no matter how much Uncle Arthur urged him on, TOGO refused to budge. “I wonder what the problem is?” Uncle Arthur whispered to himself. He got off the cart and went to check to see if Togo's weary hooves may have been injured by the rubble he was walking through.
TOGO’s hooves looked fine to Uncle Arthur. But just then, TOGO heard the voice again! Yes, it definitely WAS Ernie! He was calling from just behind them! TOGO started to back up and head in the direction of Ernie's voice.
“Whoa” called Uncle Arthur.” “Where are you going TOGO”? he asked. TOOGO went directly to the spot where Ernie's voice was coming out of the rubble. And finally, Uncle Arthur could also hear Ernie's voice.