Who is James Otis

Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus

by: James Otis

Amazon Price: $9.90 (as of 01/05/2010)

Toby Tyler is a small town orphan boy, bored and feeling abused on his Uncle Daniel's farm. When an un-named circus comes to town, Toby happily joins as a "candy butcher," i.e., one who sells refreshments to show patrons within the tent.

I have not read this book in over 50 years but I still remember it well. I can remember lying in bed at night reading this book and dreaming that I was right there along side Toby and sharing his adventure. I will not give away any of the plot but I can also remember a scene where my little boy tears just flowed(in am age where little boys were not supposed to cry). I loved the book then and am now buying it for my grandson!! -- James R. Rhyan (Spring Branch, Texas United States)

Toby Tyler

Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 01/05/2010)

One of Disney's best family classics
Based on the classic children's novel, Toby Tyler is ideal material for a Disney movie. You may remember Kevin Corcoran from several other Disney classics, including Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller, etc. and so forth. Here he plays a young boy who runs away from home and joins the circus. The circus adventure and comedy is a bit predictable, but well played and well served by the high Disney production values with great color, stunts, etc.

My favorite part of the movie involves Toby Tyler learning to ride and do stunts standing on a horse, and they have him tied to a pole that swings around a post to follow the galloping horse. I can't describe the scene in words, you just have to see this bit of comic genius. It's worth the price of the DVD for this one segment alone.

But if that's not enough for you, you get a plethora of circus performances and exotic animals in color. Highly recommended for the whole family to watch together. -- R. Christenson, Pine, CO, USA