Reviews for Toby and the Secret Code
"What a wonderful way to share a neglected part of our history! The author and illustrator presented a story rich in Choctaw culture and language. [The book] emphasizes strength in diversity and shows that heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things during critical times. "
With heartfelt gratitude,
Beth Lawless, grand-daughter of code talker, Tobias Frazier
Instructor of Adult Education
Choctaw Nation
Toby and the Secret Code, A Choctaw Adventure by Una Belle Townsend
illustrated by Gwen Coleman Lester
Doodle and Peck Publishing, 2016, 32 pages, age 6+
As he reads his class report, Toby couldn't be prouder of his hero and namesake, his great-great-grandfather, Tobias Frazier. Tobias Frazier was one of 19 Choctaw soldiers in World War I who helped the US Army by using the Choctaw language to create a secret code, one the enemy couldn't figure out. When Toby's friend Charlie said he wished they could have a secret code like the code talkers, Toby offered to teach him some Choctaw worlds. Toby's grandfather, Papa Tobe, even helped them with pronunciation, as the boys played soldiers with walkie-talkies. One morning, when Toby arrived at his grandfather's fishing hole, he found Papa Tobe on the ground, hurt and muttering in Choctaw. Luckily, Toby could now understand what he was saying and was able to get help for him quickly. Toby never would have saved his grandfather if he hadn't been inspired by his WWI hero and code talker. This is a nice intergenerational story about a part of Choctaw history that is not well know. There are lots of basic Choctaw words with pronunciation for young readers to learn, including colors, numbers and days of the week. There is also a Glossary, a list of the 19 code talkers, including Tobias Frazier, and websites for more information about the Choctaw Nation. Illustrator Gwen Coleman Lester is a member of the Choctaw Nation.
Illustrator Gwen Coleman Lester and I at the Choctaw Code Talker's Assn. meeting in Tuskahoma, Ok during Labor Day Activities.
Photo taken by Dr. William Meadows --Univ. of Missouri
This is the monument for the World War I and World War II Code Talkers. It's located at Tuskahoma, OK.
A presentation of "Toby and the Secret Code" in Durant, OK.
This is the Choctaw Nation Capitol Museum at Tuskahoma, OK during a Labor Day Celebration. There are many dancers who show off their skills during the celebration.
The museum is open year round and welcomes visitors. On its grounds are monuments to many of the Choctaw who have served in the military. The monument to the Code Talkers of World War I and World War II is located there.
Ideas for Teachers and Parents Using the Book, “Toby
and the Secret Code”
1. Make a
turtle puppet—Luksi is the word for turtle—It was a code word during
World
War I. It stood for the word
“tank”. Use a sock, a paper bag, a
tongue
depressor,
etc. to make the puppet.
2. Have
students make a crossword puzzle. Use important words from the book.
Exchange with a friend.
3. Have
students make their own turtle shaped maze.
4. Have
students make their own word scramble and exchange with a friend.
5. Have
students make their own patterns from different size turtles. Lay them out
and
design their own pattern. Have a friend use similar sized turtles to copy
the
same pattern. Use crayons or markers.
6. Write a story about a turtle. Illustrate it.
7. Write you own “hero” story. Illustrate it.
8. Find a large turtle clip art picture or enlarge
one. Write addition, subtraction,
multiplication,
or division facts on the turtle’s back.
Or,
write the numbers from 1 to 10 on the back of the turtle in Choctaw and
learn
the pronunciation of the words.
9. Using an old CD or DVD disc that’s been
discarded, use construction paper,
foam
pieces, or cloth to cover the disc and make your own turtle. I also
covered
one with green buttons.
10. Make a game
using a poster of a turtle. Laminate it and students can make up
their own questions about the book and
have other students answer them as
they
race around the game. I have a variety of game pieces, and I use a
gigantic
die which the kids love to throw.
11. Have
students write their own play. It can be about Toby , his friends, how he
helped rescue Grandfather, or it can be
from a turtle’s point of view.
12. Have students learn some of the Choctaw words
in the back of the book. Help
them learn the correct pronunciation
for the words.
A presentation of "Ben and the Missing Pony" at Kildare Elementary in Ponca City, OK. I also presented three of my other books, and we played many games. A great day at Kildare Elementary!
This is a photo of Frazier Creek located in the Southeast Oklahoma. I mention the creek in both the "Toby and the Secret Code" book and in "Ben and the Missing Pony" book. The creek was named for Tobias Frazier (Papa Tobe) mentioned in the Toby and the Secret Code book.
On the grounds of the Choctaw Nation Museum in Tuskahoma, OK. The museum has many exhibits, including the Code Talker exhibit. The medals received by their families are housed there.
One of the code talkers pictured here--Mitchell Bobb.
World War I dog tag located in the Yukon, OK Veteram's Museum.
Old field glasses from an exhibit on World War I at the Yukon, OK Veteran's Museum.
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