Toby Tucker: Mucking About with Monkeys - Softcover

Valerie Wilding was a teacher for 20 years and now manages a school library. She has written more than 30 books, including Diggers and Dumpers and Real Princesses. Michael Broad is the illustrator of Broken Bird.

Grade 3–6—As in the previous books, orphan Toby Tucker travels back in time and enters the life of one of his ancestors. As he discovers his heritage, he also gains insights into his current situation. In Monkeys, Toby becomes John Bunn, a "muck spreader" in Henry VIII's menagerie. Caring for the exotic beasts, the boy works to improve conditions in the Tower of London and realizes the value of animal companionship. In Pockets, he travels to the slums of Victorian London where he becomes pickpocket Alfie Trott. He "adopts" a younger street boy and together they set up a fence operation that enables them to support themselves—and Alfie's family as well. In Sewer, Toby learns about setting goals and planning ahead as Titus, a slave in ancient Rome. The historical sections are generally authentic, if a trifle on the messy side. References to dirt, sewage, rats, and dung abound. The black-and-white cartoon illustrations shed an amusing light on the grimy aspects of history. Toby's modern persona merges seamlessly with his alter-egos, emerging each time a little stronger and more independent. The short texts and frequent gross-out descriptions may appeal to some reluctant boy readers.—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
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