This book is about a recovering toymaker called Toby who goes to live with a family in Somerset who learns that by hard work and preserverance he can achieve his ambition to make and sell wooden toys. In turn the family some lessons too about the hardships and frustrations brought about by illness and how they can learn to support Toby in his endeavours. Stars fours children called David, Daniel, Bronwen, and Ruth and their Jack Russell Terrier Dougal.