The trees and grass are disappearing to make way for a new section of road. Toletis, his dog Amenophis, friends Claudia and Tutan are on a mission to find ingenious ways of replacing them and turning their little valley town, set deep in the mountains, lusciously green again. The odds are stacked against them. Can they succeed... with some very unusual help?
A journalist and author who has a staunch commitment to culture, art and the environment, and the majority of his career has been focused on these three topics. He spent 10 years at Spanish newspaper El Pais and 15 years at their weekly supplement. He has written numerous children's books and he co-directs the Mad is Mad art gallery in Madrid which gives a space to up-and-coming artists. He is also one of the partner-founders of the Press Association for Environmental Information (APIA). Elena Hormiga is an illustrator with a sense of humour. Her fun pictures are imbued with irony and metaphor. She studied and worked as an engineer and later turned to illustration. She currently works creating images for stories, articles and posters. She also enjoys writing, cooking and origami. Ben Dawlatly completed his masters in Hispanic Studies and Translation Theory at UCL. His technical translations focus on human rights and the environment, but his real calling is for fiction and poetry. He has translated several children's books for Nube Ocho, a Spanish publisher championing alternative voices, values and diversity.
Title: Toletis
Author: Ruiz, Rafa,Hormiga, Elena
ISBN: 9781911107149
Binding:
Publisher: Neem Tree Press Limited
Publication Date: 2017-10-19
Number of Pages: 162
Weight: 0.3201 kg
My rating: In Toletis, there are lots of different stories and they are all hilarious. Toletis is one of the most descriptive and silly books I have read this year. I believe this book captures every season in absolute beauty whilst being funny and interesting. -- Sam (aged 9) * Newsletter 48 *
A book full of respect for the creativity and open hearts of children... an uplifting, funny and delightful collection of stories...Toletis captures a childhood all young children deserve. -- Zoe Toft
Toletis is a beautiful book. Incredibly easy to read and painting a beautiful world which is so real you can almost smell it. It takes you back to the innocence of childhood, where imagination takes over during play and almost anything can happen. You are allowed into their world, told their secret words and in-jokes, and you feel it's a privilege to do so.
Toletis is a strong and sensitive boy who is interested in helping save the planet and noticing the smaller details... I love the descriptive language used throughout and it's a really gentle book. Our boys are not all rough and tumble and superheros. I love this book for honouring our thoughtful boys.
Toletis is a thinker and his reflections are often accompanied by full-page color illustrations. Our always on generation would do themselves a favor by looking out their own windows and seeing the beauty that Toletis has found.
The values contained in the pages - of love for the outdoors, animals and plants, friendship, family, being in touch with your emotions - make the world a better place. If you believe that the best hope we have for a safe, peaceful planet is to teach children to love the environment and one another, then I recommend that you read Toletis with the children in your life.
This beautiful philosophical tale by Spanish author Rafa Ruiz is suffused with flowing poetic prose. Each chapter provides a snapshot of Toletis' childhood, what he thinks, how he feels - acute observations on nature, animals and people. Toletis is an absolute must read for both children and adults. With extraordinary artwork by Elena Hormiga this captivating story is one to relish; it's timeless because it can be read again and again. A book that is surely destined to become a classic.
This beautifully illustrated book perfectly captures the wonder of a child's mind in a way that I haven't seen anywhere else. Gently touching on everyday problems such as loss, love and heartbreak; Toletis is a uniquely wonderful perspective on life through the eyes of a child.
The stories of their adventures remind me of the Pippi Longstocking stories by Astrid Lindgren. They have the same dream-like, surreal quality that speak of a deep connection with childhood fantasy, yet take the 'business' of childhood and how children view the world very seriously. I would recommend it especially for thoughtful children or those with an interest in the environment.
Full of whimsy and wonder these stories, about a young Spanish boy and environmental champion, will weave their gentle magic on any reader. ...infused with the wonder of the natural environment these stories, which follow the seasons of the year in a remote mountain valley, introduce us to Toletis, a true hero of our times. From his passionate interest in Egyptology (hence his adopted name and the names he gives his dog and best friend) to the invented language he shares with Aunt Josefina this boy is endlessly surprising. Both humour and pathos are beautifully portrayed in the jokes and mutual teasing of the children and in the descriptions of the way Toletis misses his Grandfather Rafael enormously, but sees him every day ' in the last rays of sunlight before night'. A delightful book full of wisdom and love for the natural world and beautifully enhanced by the striking illustrations. According to Toletis, nature teaches us many lessons, whether or not we want to learn them or are clever enough to understand them. -- Joy Court, Lovereading4kids.co.uk
