Thank you Nicole Claire of the Upton Town Library for the photos and the submission
Over school vacation week the Upton Town Library hosted local author and Brimfield-based EMT Jonathan Hall and his cat, Toto the Tornado Kitten. The heroic duo was welcomed by a very large and excited group of children and parents.
As the presentation began, Jonathan Hall sat up front in a chair—Toto lounged throughout the presentation on his very own chair as well—and offered the inspiration and background story behind his first picture book, “Toto the Tornado Kitten.” Toto was found in the aftermath of the June 2011 tornadoes that struck Western Massachusetts. Barely a couple of weeks old at the time, Toto was cold, hungry and critically ill. He was saved by emergency rescue workers, among them Hall himself. Once he was nursed back to health, he was adopted as a surprise the following August by Hall’s wife, Amy. He got his name by a famous literary animal who himself overcame a tornado: none other than Dorothy’s beloved Cairn terrier who are transported to the magical land of Oz in The Wizard of Oz. The trio have been living comfortably in Brimfield ever since and the story has since generated not one, but two picture books, which Hall read to the crowd of delighted children here in Upton. While reading his first picture book he encouraged the kids to look for certain characters illustrated within the book, not just Toto, but also Toto’s owner, Jonathan!
Among the details about Toto that Jonathan also shared with the group is how much he weighs and measures now. He encouraged the kids to guess how old he is since he was just a kitten three years ago when the tornadoes hit (Answer: three years old), how much he weighs now versus the meager six ounces he weighed upon being found (Answer: eleven pounds), and, with the help of a tape measure, the kids determined how long Toto is from nose to tail (Answer: thirty inches).
In between picture books, Jonathan shared with the crowd some of Toto’s very favorite foods; besides cat food and water, he also loves Twizzlers, Doritos, and cucumbers. He also taught the children sign language, in particular how to sign the title of his first book: “Toto, the Tornado Kitten.” He then proceeded to read his second book, “Oh Toto! Where Did You Go?” in which he encouraged the kids to look for themselves within the picture. Among the places Toto ventures in the second book is the YMCA where he stretches at a yoga class, rides the school bus, and yes, at listens to storytime with children in a library!
By the end of both stories, children formed two lines: one to pet Toto, and another line to purchase Jonathan’s books where they also received an autograph by both Jonathan as well as an autographed paw print from Toto. The children were enamored by Toto’s ability to give upside down kisses—Jonathan’s mother Kate was present to supervise the children meeting Toto while Jonathan signed books—and parents widely remarked how relaxed Toto was throughout the entire event. Books cost $10 each and 100% of the proceeds benefit the Animal Rescue League of Boston, as well as the Thomas O’Connor shelter in Springfield. For more information about Jonathan Hall and Toto and to purchase his books you can visitwww.totothetornadokitten.com.
UPTON DAILY 