“Toto” and “The Princess and the Frog” Have Been Classics For Over 50 Years
TOTO ( Tokyo, Japan ) is a leading toilet cleaning and hygiene brand. It is known worldwide for its innovative designs and state-of-the-art technology. In addition to toilet cleaning, TOTO also manufactures hygiene and bathroom products such as toilet brushes and toilet seat covers. Most of the TOTO products are designed to meet the specifications of Green Europe. In fact, Green Europe is a Brussels-based organization that promotes ecologically sustainable living.
In this book, American author Jennifer Jones, who plays the character of the plucky little Tin Man in the popular television show, Tin Opener, gets to revisit her glory days. Although the show has been canceled since 1999, it is remembered by many viewers as one of the best shows on television. Ms. Jones rehashes some of the earlier characters from the show, like the headstrong Minnie Mouse.
After reading the book, Jones remarks that she definitely wants to revisit her Tin Man role, especially if she ever gets the chance. At the same time, Jones expresses doubts about the prospects for a woman with a head for heights, like Dorothy. To encourage her female fans to not lose hope, Jones urges them to read the book as well as watch the video for “Dorothy” and “Toto.”
The book’s table of contents includes a short bibliography, index, and a side-by-side comparison of famous Toont characters with those of Jones’s Tin Man. Other notable figures in American literature are also included in the book, including volumes from authors such as Louis L’amour, Edith Head, Alice Cullen, Mark Twain, Herman Melville, and many more. The full list of contributors can be seen on the dust cover. An introduction by Jones refers to her previous roles as the glamorous “Toto” in “Dorothy, the Lost Girl,” and “The Princess and the Frog.” Jones is careful to note that her new novel will not be based on the life-long friendship between her friend and her Dinah, though she does allude to elements of their shared past.
“Toto” and “The Princess and the Frog” seem to belong to different worlds, even though the figurines show their unmistakable signs of influence from both works. Jones’s imagination seems particularly captured by the simple but charming mannerisms of the figures. Many fans of both books and figurines expressed confusion upon seeing certain Toont characters, like Toto and his monkey friend, in the new show. But these fine examples of Americana art are just part of what makes “Toto” a favorite among American and Asian-American children.
A number of Toont figurines can be found online. Prices for some items can be inflated because of shipping fees, but for most, it is possible to buy them from online merchants at deeply discounted prices. They can be displayed on your bookshelves or in special display cases, like gift boxes, that show the influence of Japanese culture on the creators. It is easy to see why “Toto” and “The Princess and the Frog” continue to be popular, well-loved cartoons for children everywhere.