On this evening, we invite you to join us for a screening of the cinematic adaptation of Timothee de Fombelle’s Toby Lolness, that has been made into a mini-series, followed by a conversation with children’s author Bijal Vachharajani on the alchemical magic that goes into creating new worlds in literature. This event will for those aged 10 and above!

Toby Alone and its sequel Toby and the Secrets of the Tree tell the story of a boy a millimeter and a half tall who lives in an oak tree and must save it from destruction. With a deft hand at describing climate change, social discrimination, extractivism and capitalist violence, themes usually explored in the adult world, de Fombelle brings to life all the horrors of the world we live in, in a bewitchingly charming world of childhood fantasy. Clever, challenging and true, Toby’s adventures craft a path for children to form their own journey into bravery and for things worth fighting for.

In this event, we hope to watch two episodes of the gorgeously hand-drawn animated series Toby Lolness following which we will have a discussion between Timothee de Fombelle and Bijal Vachharajani on the tools of their craft in creating a rich and vibrant new world. For children who are interested in growing up to be writers, and for adults who want to remember what it is like to be children while they write, this event will explore questions like: how much of the real world needs to be part of the worlds we create? What kind of stories do children like, the ones where they are safe, or the ones which show them the nature of the world and their place in it? And what’s the most evil character you can ever imagine, and how do you imagine him into existence?

Timothee de Fombelle was born in the heart of Paris in 1973, but often accompanied his architect father on his travels to Africa. Each summer his family left for the countryside (the west of France), where the five brothers and sisters lived like wild horses, making huts in the trees, playing in the river and losing themselves in the woods. In the evening they performed plays for their parents and devoured the books in the library. Childhood remains for him the lost paradise which he re-discovers through writing.

In 2006, he made his debut as an author with Toby Alone, a young adult novel published by Gallimard Jeunesse. The novel met with great success and has been translated into 29 languages. It has received 20 awards, including the English Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation, the Italian Andersen Award, and most French awards for children's literature. The movie rights were bought by Amber Entertainment (UK, United States).

We hope to see you all at 6.30 pm on February 1 at Atta Galata in Indiranagar, Bangalore for this event marking the inauguration of the Pardon my French! corner, followed by high tea and snacks!