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Children's Fiction Beginner

Toby Laughs Last

by (author) Jean Lemieux

illustrated by Sophie Casson

translated by Sarah Cummins

Publisher
Formac Publishing Company Limited
Initial publish date
Oct 2006
Category
Beginner, Emotions & Feelings
Recommended Age
6 to 9
Recommended Grade
2 to 5
Recommended Reading age
6 to 9
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780887807169
    Publish Date
    Oct 2006
    List Price
    $5.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459500020
    Publish Date
    Jul 2011
    List Price
    $9.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

When Toby climbs too high in a tree to rescue a kite, he tumbles to the ground and has to go to hospital. The doctors stick tubes down his throat and bandage him up - with the result that Toby finds he can't laugh any more.

About the authors

When Jean Lemieux finished his first novel, a chance encounter at a Salon du livre led to the publication of another -- this time, a book for young adults. He met an editor with Québec/Amérique Jeunesse who persuaded him to write a short story for a young adult anthology she was preparing. Instead of the one story required, he submitted three. The first story, "Retour à Saint-Malo" was included in the anthology, Ici. The second story was destined to become Lemieux's successful young adult novel, La Cousine des États. The third is to be expanded into a book for adults. Whether writing for adolescents or adults, Lemieux demonstrates an abiding interest in human relationships. He is fascinated by the energy and enthusiasm of youth and is intrigued by the similarities he sees between an adolescent's search for self-awareness and the broader, historical issues implicit when tracing a family's roots or searching for cultural identity. Jean Lemieux is not only an author but also a doctor. Although he and his family live in Quebec City, they still have a strong attachment to the Iles-de-la-Madeleine where they lived for many years.

Jean Lemieux's profile page

SOPHIE CASSON has illustrated The Artist and Me by Shane Peacock, a finalist for the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, Quelle pagaille! by Danielle Marcotte and Laurence-Aurélie Théroux-Marcotte, a finalist for the Governor General’s Award, and Helen’s Birds by Sara Cassidy. Her highly acclaimed illustrations are inspired by Japanese woodblock prints and World War II–era posters. Sophie’s award-winning work has also appeared in the Globe and Mail, the New York Times, Financial Times, Los Angeles Times and Nature, as well as in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Sophie lives in Montreal, Quebec.

 

Sophie Casson's profile page

Sarah Cummins' profile page

Awards

  • Winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens - Canadian Children's Book Centre

Editorial Reviews

"Jean Lemieux ... and Sophie Casson ... have created a book that can comfort and entertain ... Toby Laughs Last is an important story about how serious accidents can be. Recommended.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

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