Toto the Tornado Kitten



Written by Jonathan Hall
Illustrated by Carol Ruzicka
Published in 2012

Why we chose this book:
At a very special story time at our local library, author Jonathan Hall read his book and brought Toto the cat. We got to meet them, hear about Toto's adventures, learn some sign language, and spend time petting Toto. I've never met a sweeter cat! Pics of T and Toto, as well as T getting his book signed are below. All proceeds from the book sales go to animal rescue groups. You can check out the Toto the Tornado Cat website if you like: http://totothetornadokitten.com/

Mom's Review

A true account of Toto's and Jonathan's experience following the 2011 tornado in Brimfield, MA.

In the wake of the tornado, rescue and repair workers found a tiny kitten stuck in a tree. The kitten was taken to a fire station where Hall works. Toto the kitten received the veterinary care he needed, became famous, and was ultimately adopted by Hall. The heartwarming story is told from the perspective of Toto, and the illustrations depict an adorable cat who looks just like the real one.

The fact that the story really happened, paired with T's meeting Toto, seems to have had quite an impact on T. As a result of this book, we were at the Worcester Animal Rescue League today (due to our lack of cash yesterday, Hall provided us with a copy of the book in exchange for our promise to donate the cost of the book or animal food to our local animal shelter). T was super excited to see "real, live cats" and "a real, live dog." When we viewed the animals, he asked me why I thought they had to live there. Before I could respond, he told me that he thinks they had gotten lost in a tornado. When his dad got home from work, T was also super excited to show him "the tornado cat book." On top of that, when we were at the library, T drew a picture of Toto and showed it to Toto. T has been able to connect with this book in myriad ways, relating it to his life and sustaining his enthusiasm long after the story time concluded. I think that this is due in part to meeting the author and the cat, but primarily due to the fact that the story is true and he can know about the real people and the real cat involved.

Son's Review
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)
T and I were talking about the book and meeting Toto on our drive home from story time. Part way through our conversation, at a red light (I'm not a reckless driver!), I pulled out my phone and started recording our conversation. 

Mom: If you found a kitty in a tree, a lost kitty, what would you do?

Son: I would just climb up its branches and bring the kitty down. Then find the owner of the kitty and place the kitty in its home.

Mom: And what if the kitty had no owner?

Son: I would place him in his home...the kitty's home.

Mom: But if it had no home?

Son: Then I would build a home. Then I would place the kitty in its tree so he could play in it. Every morning I would give him a cup of milk and then some cat food. I tell you how I would give him his food; so I would build a little hole for my arm to go through, so I could place his dish on where he eats.

Mom: What would you name him, if you found a little lost cat in a tree?

Son: I would name him Tree Tornado because he would be stuck in a tree and a tornado. And a house. So I would name him Tree Tornado House.

Mom: How did meeting Toto make you feel?

Son: Happy!

Mom: Toto has gone a lot of places. If you could take Toto anywhere, where would you take Toto?

Son: I would take that kitty named Tornado Tree House to Barnes and Noble. And I 'd read him too much books! And I would take him to McDonald's and feed him some stuff...some chicken nuggets and fries.

Mom: I bet he would want some ice cream. Shadow [my cat] used to always eat ice cream when I was little.

Son: My cat named Tornado Tree House...I would build a tree house in that big old maple tree [by our house].

Mom: Would you ever let him in our house?

Son: No. He would track dirty footprints. I would build him a house and I would always give him a meal of milk and ice cream and he would eat it and me and my cat would take a journey.

Mom: Where would you take a journey to?

Son: Barnes and Noble! And I would pack a snack for him, and it would be ice cream. It's not Toto, it's my cat!














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