Tomas And The Road To Home Is The Charming Debut Children’s Book From Monica Lester

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Tomas and the Road to Home is a heart-warming debut children’s book by Monica Lester, inspired by her real French rescue dog, following tiny pup Tomas on a charming, sun-drenched adventure across rural France to find the love and forever home he deserves.

Tomas And The Road To Home

In a world filled with fleeting trends, some stories arrive quietly, carrying decades of love and patience. Debut author Monica Lester has published her first children’s book, Tomas and the Road to Home. This gentle, uplifting story follows the journey of a tiny rescue puppy named Tomas as he searches for a place where he is truly wanted and cherished. Inspired by Monica’s own much-loved French rescue dog, Tomas Tobias, the book blends real-life warmth with imaginative charm, offering a timeless message of resilience, kindness, and belonging.

A Lifetime of Stories Finally Shared

Monica Lester grew up in South London, where her two elder sisters taught her to read at an early age. She has always loved writing and storytelling. After building and later selling a successful children’s wear company, she moved to rural South West France in 1990 with her late first husband, Harvey. It was there, surrounded by golden fields and quiet villages, that they welcomed three cherished rescue dogs into their home—one of them the real Tomas Tobias.

Monica first wrote the story of Tomas in 1997–1998, capturing his adventures with affection and a touch of creative re-imagining. The manuscript remained tucked away in a box file for many years. After remarrying in 2009 and returning to England in 2011 with her second husband Eric—who shared her deep love of dogs—Monica rediscovered the tale. Now living in North Norfolk, she decided the time had come to bring Tomas’s story into the world, dedicating it in memory of Harvey and turning it into a heartfelt legacy.

Tomas and the Road to Home is not a glaring razzmatazz book, more a story of how we all must overcome obstacles. There is a quiz at the end, which children have told me they enjoyed immensely.

The story is about a very, very small dog, who has to find his way to a forever loving home. He does this with help along the way, adventures, and humour. The illustrations are charming, colour-washed and gentle. The main dogs’ characters are real, and lived with us (my late first husband and I) in the 1990s.

–Monica Lester

The Little Dog’s Courageous Quest

The story begins on a French farm, where Tomas is born the smallest in a lively litter of puppies. Feeling overlooked and undervalued because of his size, the brave little dog makes a big decision: he runs away in search of a home where he will be loved for who he is.

What unfolds is a series of charming adventures across the sunlit countryside of South West France. Along the way, Tomas meets a delightful cast of animal friends who help him on his journey:

• Fellow dogs of many different breeds
• A clever and friendly rat
• A quick-witted fox
• A busy, kind-hearted squirrel
• And the unforgettable Ginger, a Romany dog full of circus stories and tales of a wandering gypsy life

Through challenges, moments of fear, and bursts of joy, Tomas discovers important lessons about curiosity, courage, and compassion. The narrative is sprinkled with gentle humour and genuine emotion, while also introducing young readers to a few simple French words alongside their English meanings, offering a soft and natural introduction to another language and culture.

Illustrations That Glow with Sunshine

Peter Kavanagh’s illustrations bring the story to vivid life. His colour-washed drawings capture the warm light and open landscapes of rural France—rolling hills, quiet lanes, and sun-drenched farms—while giving each animal character expressive personality and timeless appeal, with a style that echoes the joyful energy of Quentin Blake.

A Book with Heart and Purpose

First published to raise funds for Mesothelioma UK, a charity supporting those affected by asbestos-related cancers, Tomas and the Road to Home sold out two print runs in support of this meaningful cause. The book holds special significance for Monica, who honours her late husband Harvey through this labour of love. Now more widely available, it invites readers of all ages to share in Tomas’s journey.

Perfect for reading aloud or enjoying independently, the book speaks especially to families who have welcomed rescue animals into their lives. It carries gentle lessons about empathy, perseverance, and the quiet joy of finding one’s true home.

In an age of hurried stories, Monica Lester’s debut stands out as a slow, sun-warmed treasure—proof that some tales, like some friendships, are worth waiting for. Tomas may have travelled a long road, but thanks to a storyteller with a big heart, that road is now open for everyone to follow.

Find more now:

Written and published by Monica Lester and illustrated by Peter Kavanagh, “Tomas and The Road to Home” is available now directly from the author by emailing monicatobias786@gmail.com

All illustrations are by Peter Kavanagh – Website: www.peterkavanagh.co.uk