FUSE Winter 2016-2017 | Page 9

iARTS & iWORLD Dear Toby, How Are You? One day, five-year-old Toby Little was walking to school with his mum. The previous day he had read ‘A Letter to New Zealand’, which follows a letter's journey from post box into the hands of a little boy. Toby enjoyed the book and wanted to write his own letter, so he asked his mum if he could. She said “Yes” and Toby was excited, but wanted to do something a bit more ambitious. They walked a little further and by Ruby D he asked: “Mum, can I write a letter to every country in the world?” Three years, 1,024 letters* and a whole book of them later, Toby is still writing! I chatted to Toby about his experience with the media; he has now appeared on TV and radio (including Blue Peter, BBC Breakfast, CBBC’s Newsround and BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live). *1,024 letters so far! (30/09/16) Ruby: A Blue Peter fan myself, what can you tell us about your exciting day there? Toby: I really enjoyed it. The presenters were really lovely and kind. I met Radzi and Lindsay… Ruby explains: In fact, Toby had been presented with a coveted gold Blue Peter badge! He had to keep this top secret until the show was screened, which he said was very difficult! Ruby: When Richard Coles interviewed you for Saturday Live!, I hear you stayed for the entire radio show..? Toby: This show was so much fun! I preferred being on the radio to being on the TV, because I could whisper things away from the microphone or make a mistake without anyone noticing! Ruby: Did you meet any interesting people while going between TV sets? Toby: I met the actor who played Dudley in the Harry Potter films and I got a picture with him. As I was walking through the BBC, I saw Karim and Hacker presenting CBBC and also met Tim Birkhead, the famous zoologist. FUSE 9