The Race Car Toby Built

Toby, an only child, lives with his mother, a single parent. He has a close relationship with his grandparents and especially with Grandy. Looking for something to do during their school holidays, Toby and his friend decide to build a billy cart. With some welcome advice and a little assistance from Grandy, the boys work to overcome many setbacks and impediments and suffer some emotional highs and lows as their cart progresses to completion. During this time, Toby gets to spend weekends with his dad. Together, they share several exciting experiences that stimulate Toby’s imagination and determination. Eventually, the cart is completed. However, testing of the new “race car” doesn’t go quite as expected. The end result is surprising and quite unimaginable.

Shane worked as a primary school teacher with the Western Australian Education Department for more than 20 years before transitioning into teaching English to speakers of other languages at a number of post-secondary campuses. He has a hands-on interest in art and has constructed several pieces of sculpture. He is a keen recreational woodworker with a broad interest in manual arts. He is an active member and volunteer with the Bus Preservation Society of WA. He is married with four children and has six grandchildren.