TOBY AND CARINA'S SONORAN DESERT ADVENTURE
  •  To make matters worse, the sky was darkening rapidly; there was an unusual but familiar ozone odor that comes often just before a sudden summer rain.  The wind gained strength, the sky became darker, and the air cooled abruptly. Soon, the wind was strong enough to lift sand as swirling columns that danced gracefully across the desert floor. Toby felt the first drops of rain on his face, but thought little of it. The wind increased in speed, and the rain became more forceful and soaking. 
  • The storm intensified rapidly, the wind howled, and the palo verde and mesquite trees swayed violently—a few bent and cracked. Hail, some pieces as large as marbles, pelted the ground, trees, and dogs.  Terrified, Carina made a fearful moan that came deep from within her throat. She ran to Toby, and took refuge from the hail and wind under his comforting body. 
  • Toby was alarmed as well, the hail had grown larger; it struck with a stinging force, and the wind was growing even more menacing.  A large branch was ripped from a nearby mesquite, then another; they flew violently across the ground nearly hitting the dogs. A ferocious bolt of lightning, accompanied by a clap of thunder so loud that it reverberated the surrounding air, struck a nearby palo verde. The lightning gouged a massive gash in the trunk. Instantly, the entire trunk burst into flame. In spite of the plummeting rain, the tree was quickly engulfed in a bright orange-red fire. It would be a while before the raging fire was  finally  extinguished.  
  • Toby   had  never  experienced  such  violence  any  time  in  his   life;  he feared for Carina and himself.  We must find shelter and safety quickly, he thought. 
TAKEN FROM: THE VIOLENCE OF A SUMMER MONSOON
AN ABSORBING STORY, FEATURING TWO LOVEABLE DOGS, THAT WILL KEEP YOUR CHILD READING, LEARNING, AND ASKING FOR MORE.  A BOOK INTENDED TO BE READ WITH YOUR CHILD.

EXPLORE THE SONORAN DESERT, ITS BEAUTIFUL PLANTS, AND UNUSUAL ANIMALS. WRITTEN TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO LEARN ABOUT AND EXPERIENCE THE TRULY SPECTACULAR DESERT IN WHICH WE LIVE.

​SELF-CONTAINED UNIT THAT MAKES STUDYING THE SONORAN DESERT FUN AND EDUCATIONAL. THIS IS AN IDEAL GIFT FOR YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER.

​BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS, ILLUMINATING THE SONORAN DESERT, ITS MANY INHABITANTS, AND FASCINATING NATURAL HISTORY, ADD ENJOYMENT AND INTEREST TO THE BOOK.

MAKES A MEMORABLE SOUVENIR OF YOUR VACATION TO THE VALLEY OF THE SUN, AND A THOUGHTFUL GIFT FOR A YOUNG PERSON AT HOME.

STUDENT-EVALUATED FOR HOLDING A YOUNG PERSON'S INTEREST, ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND CONCEPTS, AND STORY DETAILS.
PHILIP GRAINGER