Customer Reviews

The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Toonies is what I would call a modern, high-tech fairy tale, probably one of the first of its kind. Hans Christian Anderson, you of the old school, eat your heart out!

The narrative is interesting and easy to follow, briskly paced and engrossing. There are many clever fantasy story devices and flashes of imagination, like the whole premise of cartoon land and its inhabitants and "secrets," like the idea of clicking on a cartoon character's right eye to get him out of the computer, or Toonies eating ink rather than human food.

Betty Dravis also uses a lot of "young" terminology that will appeal to kid readers, especially. Additionally, that whole plot involving the Mischief-Makers was very suspenseful and kept me turning the pages, especially as the story wound down at the climax.

Good character development; I got a good sense of what most of the main characters were like: Oh that Dab, he was just PURE EVIL. I'm glad he was stopped from carrying out his malevolent plan. I also like the parents subplot or Orange Computer subplot. My only minor criticism is I would have liked to see this subplot more developed.

I also like how Uncle Wom always says "Golly-by-golly," and I like the "Pronto-Toronto," the "Hmph-by-hmph," the "Sheesh," and "cheep-cheep," and words like "girlykins," "kiddo," and so on that are peppered throughout. Uncle Wom has a unique vocabulary, slightly reminiscent of Olde English, which makes him very endearing.

In conclusion, the Mischief-Makers remind me of the demons who joined Lucifer (Dab) in rebellion against God (Uncle Wom). Just a symbolic or metaphorical interpretation behind the literal one.

My Dad got this book from the Reno library for me. He thinks it's real clever. Me too ... I liked the way the TOONIES got into our world. Jeremy is a smart kid. I'm glad his parents let him solve his own problems. That was way cool. Wish mine would do that.

Maybe this author could write another one, and let the Toonies visit Reno next time. Good job, lady!

Tucker from Sparks, Nevada

I love all types of fantasy, but this tale is particularly close to my own heart. In fact, it is my favorite type of story: Vivid characters and events are first grounded in reality to make them believable so that the jump into the fantastical draws us in completely. After we are a part of the story, the imaginative events take over to both amaze and amuse us.

Ms. Dravis' ability to present real people, places, and things in the midst of a fantasy story is very close to what I strive for in my own writings. Characters with last names and problems who live in real places, but still have fantastical things happen to them, make for a wonderful story - truly a modern James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory kind of tale. I am also impressed by how well a female author is able to portray such a believable boy character. All of the characters are engaging and real, with their daily struggles and triumphs; and this helps make the story real as well, though it is also a lovely escape.

In fact, it is so well done I am tempted to compare it to one of my favorite television shows - Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, which to me is entirely plausible, given the vast number of very real imaginary friends I have known in my life. This book has the power to appeal to all ages and types of people. I would definitely recommend it.

J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles

My grandpa read this book to me I think its very funny. Its way over the top the way the bad TOONIES get in so much truble, but Jeremy and some good cartoon people rescue them.

I like the chicken noodel soup part and the fireworks was awesome. I'm glad they saved Orange Computer and like that name. It's funny to.

I wish this author would right about other cities so I could read about the Toonies again. they're cute and magical.

Thanks - Christopher
P.S. I like books, video games and riding my bike.

My Mom's a teacher, and she gives me and my sister summer reading assignments. Megan beats me to the best books, but not this time. I grabbed TOONIES when I saw those funny-looking guys on the cover.
I liked it a lot. It was fun to see how they got out into our world. They sure had some exciting times. I always wanted my comic book heroes to come alive and play with us kids. I thought it would be fun ... Now this author proved to me that it is.
I hope to have some more adventures with Jaremy and the Toonies.
Michael from Mississippi

I got lots of money from my grandparents for my birthday. I saw the Toonies on the front of this book at Barns and nobel. They were so cool, I wanted to lern all about them.
I like Jeremy, Doog and Unkle Wom. It was cool that Apple dude was in the book. That made it seem more reel.
This was the most different book I have read. I would like to have more adventures with the Toonies.
Chris from Mountain View

"The day the Toonie leaped out of Jeremy Kern's computer and landed smack-dab in the middle of his life, he thought he was going nuts. Was he imagining things? Or was this funny little cartoon character for real?"
"The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley," written by Bay Area author Betty Dravis, stimulates one's imagination by cleverly melding real life situations with the age of technology in a book where good triumphs over evil.
During a time in which one computer, if not more, is as common as TV sets in households across the country, and kids are able to maneuver in and out of computer programs like previous generations mastered the paddles of Pong, Dravis draws on those technological aspects to take her reader on a fast-paced adventure; one that pits good Toonies (computer characters) over evil ones, who are on the loose determined to first destroy Silicon Valley, then the world.
"I got part of the idea for Toonies way back in 1992, when I was sitting before my computer, starting to go online," said Dravis about her 2005 published young-teen novel. "Some garbled voices issued forth, startling me."
It was the sound of voices, instead of the gurgling of her modem, that got the wheels of her mind churning - "Toonies" was born.
"This started me thinking about who could live inside a computer," she said. "My imagination soared from there and I started typing."
When asked what she does to create such interesting characters, she said, "I let my characters take over. In that way, I think they become more real."
She said she also visualizes her books in her mind, like she's watching a movie. "I actually see them in full color, which certainly helps me with details of how they behave, how they dress, etc."
Details that some students in Brentwood really appreciated after a reading of "Toonies."
"I thought it was funny when Doog (the main cartoon character) jumped out of the computer and Jer (the main human character) could hardly speak," said 8-year-old Shelby.
Kayla, 9, said she liked how Dravis gave an aura to the good "Toonies" that pop out of the computer. "It was cool how he (Doog) had green light around him," she said.
Steven 8, said he liked what the Toonies had to eat. "It was kind of funny how they had to drink ink to stay alive," he said.
As for Dravis' ideas for Toonies, she said that she "came up with the idea of cartoon characters living inside the computer and then had to figure out how they came to be there. One thing led to another and soon I had a full-fledged plot." A plot which turned Apple Computers, Inc. into Orange Computers and features "The Woz" - brainchild of Apple Computers Steve Wozniak - as a person sought to help conquer the menacing Mischief Makers.
"The perfect setting was Silicon Valley and since, even back then, high-tech people were being laid off, I worked that and the effect it often has on families into the plot - and ran from there," she said.
Dravis said she has had lots of her readers tell her that they bought the book for their kids, but got pulled in by the creativity of the storyline that they ended up reading it themselves.
So, what do kids think of the book?
"It was a good story," said Melissa, 8. "The characters were awesome."

A story about this book was on the front page of the Los Gatos newspaper and it sounded like a true Silicon Valley book. I just had to read it.
My Mom is CEO of her own high-tech company and we're into anything with a techie angle. This book was like a high-tech fairytale, but the characters all seemed real to me.
Mom read it and liked it too. She says it's original ... exciting and funny. This author sure has a lively imagination.
I'm taking it to school to share with friends after Christmas ... if I can get it back from my little sister by then.
I hope this author writes more about the TOONIES. I would love to have more adventures with them.
Alex - age 12

I started reading this book in my dentist's office. I pestered Mom to buy it because I had to finish it. I couldn't wait to see how Doog and Uncle Wom helped Jeramy and the kids stop the ape-birds. I think Orange Computer is a cute name.

This was one of the funnest books I read and hope for more adventures with these characters.

Mom told me not to give my name, but it's OK to say I live in St. Petersburg, Florida

Jeremy Kerns is a bright and imaginative thirteen year old cartoonist, whose cartoons are featured weekly in the newspaper.

As Jeremy's parent Arthur and Jessica's arguments have been escalating, Jeremy copes in a constructive manner. He writes and illustrates his own problems on his comic strip with Doog, the red haired boy with stars and stripes suspenders as the main character.

One particularly unnerving day of parental disagreements, Jeremy blocks his ears with his hands to try blotting out their fighting.


Jeremy pushes his chair away from the computer in exasperation, when suddenly a voice summons him. It's Doog, straight out of Cartoon Land. Jeremy is startled and distracted when Doog and Uncle Wom (a.k.a. wise old man) Jeremy learns that he must keep The Toonies a secret. Only Buddy and Ashley meet them, until...

Jeremy's unsuspecting and curious dad marvels at his son's cartoon drawings, then turns on Jeremy's computer.

This is where the Mischief Makers led by Dab (bad spelled backwards)are let loose into the Kern's home and Silicon Valley.

Mischief and mayhem follow in a funny and very, very original story.

One of my favorite events is when Jeremys mom Jessica and friend Ashley make shoes out of tin foil so the light weight little Tonnie Doog can walk more like a human than hop around.

Through Betty's highly descriptive, skilled writing, we envision the comical, colorful Toonie characters, all of whom have distinct personalities and charms. The dialogue is hysterical and we quickly become absorbed into The Toonies adventure.

This is a classic!

I recommend this book highly to both young adults and children. It will steer young people into dealing with stress in a productive manner. Because its extremely insightful, it can have a therapeutic effect on children and teach them new coping skills. For parents, this book will remind them of how positive influence can have a great impact on children.