• Age: 3 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 3 to 5

When a tornado leaves a farmer with a heap of scrap metal and no animals, his neighbors are sure it's all over for him. But the determined farmer refuses to admit defeat. His plans are big, and when his neighbors dismiss them with the words, "When pigs fly," they grow bigger still. The farmer sets to work to turn that scrap metal into some rather surprising creatures. Mechanimals will help all of us believe in our dreams, despite what the neighbors may say.

Chris Tougas is a writer-illustrator who loves dogs, the great outdoors, writing fun stories and making art. He has studied art and animation in both Canada and the United States, and has worked in film animation at Disney and other studios. Chris now lives and works in Victoria, British Columbia. His previous works before Dojo Daycare and Dojo Daytrip include Mechanimals (Orca 2007) and ART SUPPLIES (Orca 2008).

Chris Tougas' profile page

• Winner, Chocolate Lily
• Winner, SYRCA Shining Willow Award
• Winner, Chocolate Lily Book Awards
• Winner, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Shining Willow
• Winner, Bolen Books Children's Book Prize
• Commended, CCBC Best Books
• Short-listed, CLA Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award Honorable Mention
• Winner, Alcuin Design Award
• Short-listed, Canadian Library Association (CLA) Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustrator's Award
• Winner, Alcuin Book Design Awards
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Winner, Alcuin Book Design Awards - Children's picture books
• Winner, Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize
• Commended, Resource Links, The Year's Best Books
• Commended, Golden Duck Awards for Excellence in Children’s Science Fiction
• Commended, Golden Duck nominee
• Commended, Resource Links "The Year's Best"

"Written and charmingly illustrated by Chris Tougas, this large work for young readers boasts...many inventive drawings."

Times-Colonist

"A refreshingly original and quirky idea for a children's picture book."

BC Bookworld

"The story is quite clever and youngsters will be drawn in by the simple text and folksy humor. The illustrations are the star of the show though; each page features a monochromatic background with the action or character in question in full color. This makes the action standout and helps the reader focus the eye on the action going on in the text...A simple story comes very much alive with these wonderful illustrations."

Southwest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries

"Tougas gives us an ingenious farmer and a visually fascinating, funny book."

The Globe and Mail

"Young and old readers with an interest in vehicles or gadgets might find appeal in this book."

Resource Links

"This salute to ingenuity features...amusing industrial-hued illustrations with pops of color honor the farmer's imaginative vision."

The Horn Book Guide

"An unusual and likeable picture book."

Quill & Quire

"The illustrations in this story are wonderful and enhance the text, making the story a delight to read."

Library Media Connection

"Tougas' bright illustrations will draw young readers in."

NJ Youth Services

"Dreamers and inventors alike will enjoy the crazy illustrations and nutty premise of this exuberant picture book."

Island Parent

"Will appeal to budding inventors and those who have big dreams."

Canadian Children's Book News

"The illustrations...are delightful. Recommended."

CM Magazine