Book Description

Galdone's dynamic, amusing pictures add much humor to the familiar tale of the industrious hen and lazy cat, dog, and mouse. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great book!
The little red hen does all the work. She cuts the grass. She baked the bread. She planted the grass. She takes the grass to the miller. My favorite part was when the cat sat down and crossed his arms.

Work Ethic
The Little Red Hen is a wonderful introduction to work ethic and the value of helping and doing things from scratch. It has nice repetitive elements which younger kids love and the step by step story telling much like "The House that Jack Built."

The Little Red Hen
This book teaches kids how they should not be greedy and they should help someone if they want something in return. This book is about a hen who plants, cuts, beats, takes the wheat to the mill all by herself and bakes some bread. Then her friends want some when it is done but since they didnt help the hen eats it all by her self. This book is a really good book i think it can teach kids a lot.

Excellent version of a classic.
I have this exact book from when I was little and now I am reading it to my 2 year old. The relatively simple text and repetition makes it a hit with budding readers. My son especially likes the "Not I" Said the Cat, "Not I" Said the Dog parts because the book incorporates different pics of each animal into the text each time this is repeated. (Making goofy voices for the cat, dog and mouse is a big hit too.) A nice lesson in the pay-back for working hard vs. laziness.

A Great Book
Teaches a valuable lesson about teamwork and helping out. Great illustrations. Easy to read for beginning readers. Paul Gladone has another winner! ... Read more

Book Description

Why do the storks no longer come to the little Dutch fishing village of Shora to nest? It was Lina, one of the six schoolchildren who first asked the question, and she set the others to wondering. And sometimes when you begin to wonder, you begin to make things happen. So the children set out to bring the storks back to Shora. The force of their vision put the whole village to work until at last the dream began to come true.

Winner, 1955 Newbery Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1940–1970 (ALA)
1963 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

Reviews (21)

Each time I read this book, I love it more.
This is so much more than the story of a group of school children trying to bring storks to their Dutch fishing village on the North Sea. It is a story of people - people everywhere. It is a story of how important people are, irregardless of their age, physical condition, or how they make a living. It encourages us to go beyond what we see on the surface. It shows us that when we help others and care about others, good things will come to us. The children originally wanted to lure storks to their little village because the storks were said to bring good luck. Little did they know that storks would send good fortune ahead in the form of new-found friendships, help for others, and a community that came closer together than it had been before. Miendert DeJong does a masterful job of telling the story and providing strategically planted links as the events take place and unfold. I am an elementary teacher in Cabarrus County, NC. I have read this book to my children each year for many years. When I ask my new class if anyone has heard of the book, no one raises a hand. By the time we finish, the children feel like they have been right there with Lina and the boys. They have also grown to realize that Janus was far from being the mean old man that they met at the beginning. They realize that he just needed to be needed. Each time I read the book, I see more and I learn more. Don't read this story just once. You will be walking over a hidden treasure.

Breathlessly exciting!
Ok I'll admit I was very skeptical. The premise does seem a bit dry. School children band together to find a wheel to put on their school and attract storks....I was not excited by the prospect. Thank goodness I decided to read it aloud to my children anyway! Some parts of this book are so exciting and suspenseful that I literally had sweaty palms during the reading.

And just because it is a rousing good tale doesn't mean that there aren't some wonderful life lessons to be learned by it as well. Perserverance. Friendship. And the reality the EVERYONE has something to offer to common good. This is a timeless story with appeal to all ages. Grown-ups will enjoy reading this aloud as much as their children will enjoy hearing it. I confess....I read to the end because I couldn't wait for the next read-aloud session.

The most stupidest book I have ever read!
This book is so boaring. I mean storks! Thats for like 5 year olds. This book is for people who like nice calm books. This book doesn't even have have any action,unlike Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the Angel series. If I reccommened any books i reccomened Charmed, Angel, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer books.

A Classic Story With Heart and Soul
Meindert DeJong's literary voice is one of a old man sitting on a bench telling this charming tale with realism and character. This story takes you away to Shora, a small, fishing village where life has a pace of its own. The characters, mostly children, develop fully within the context of this inspiring story about their determination and ability to change their world. It is definitely one of those books you read furiously and hate to have end.

Wow
My title sums up my feelings about this book. The name "The Wheel On the School" sounds too much like a child's song than a Newbery Medal. When I started reading it though, I was hooked. It has a very original plot and is written by a great writer (He has won the most Newbery Medals and Honors ever). The basic plot: a girl named Lina goes to a school in Holland with five other kids. She decides to try to get some storks to come to her village, and all the school kids try to help her. I would highly suggest this book to anyone who does not mind reading a book this long. ... Read more

Book Description

Every child needs to have a pet. No one could argue with that.

But what happens when your pet is an owl, and your owl is terrorizing the neighbourhood?

In Farley Mowat’s exciting children’s story, a young boy’s pet menagerie – which includes crows, magpies, gophers and a dog – grows out of control with the addition of two cantankerous pet owls. The story of how Wol and Weeps turn the whole town upside down is warm, funny, and bursting with adventure and suspense. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Owls in the Family is Great
Owls in the Family is a great book. We think that it is a five star because it has lots of things to look forward to reading about. It also has great details and very fun characters. It takes place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. A little boy named Billy wants an owl for a pet. Then he gets out on the prairie with his friend Bruce to find owlets. They have many adventures to share with you. For example, Billy finds an own (Weeps) in an oil barrel with boys throwing rocks at him. So go buy the book!

Owls in the Family
Owls in the Family is a good book. This book is good because it has action and adventure. Owl lovers should read this book. It takes place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It is all the way in Canada. A boy named Billy wanted an owl and his dream came true. He got an owl. You should get this book now. You should get this book at your nearest bookstore!!

Nostalgia
I read this book back when I was 7 or 8 yrs old, and till this day it still brings wonderful feelings of nostalgia whenever I think of it. Every detail is still pretty fresh in my mind(I'm now 34) due to the authors brilliant attention to detail.

highly recommend it for kids of all ages...

Owls in the Faimily
I think Owls in the Family was an exciting book. It wasnt the best. But it was good.

Owls in the family
I really liked Owls in the family. The reason I liked this book was because it had some adventure.It also had some exciting parts. It also kind of lets you experience having owls as pets. It also explains how the owls look. It also proves how smart owls are. ... Read more

Book Description

Now that Soren has been reunited with his sister, Eglantine, he must face his next challenge: making sense of the mysterious disappearance of his mentor, Ezylryb.When Soren discovers that Ezylryb is in danger, he and his friends Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger devise a plan to save their teacher.In this process, Soren fights a ferocious foe who wears a terrifying metal beak, sharpened for battle.It's not until the confrontation is over that Soren discovers the true identity of his opponent...

Guardians of Ga'Hoole is a classic in the making -- Kathryn Lasky brings a thrilling new owl world to life.A key theme in the series is friendship: Soren and Gylfie's bond is at the heart of the story.The struggle between good and evil is evergreen and infinitely interesting.This is great series for both boys and girls alike. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

We are left hanging, wanting more.
In this third installment of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series, Soren is no longer that inexperienced young owl who didn't know his place in the world. Almost ready to become a Guardian of Ga'Hoole, his training nearly complete, Soren is confident of his skills and knowledge, yet he is far from happy. The loss of his grumpy and unpredictable teacher, Ezylryb, has left him very depressed and unable to enjoy his life and reunion with his sister.

Then, something truly bizarre and unsettling occurs. While on a training mission, Soren is visited by the scrooms, or ghosts, of his parents. They warn him of something terrible: "Metal! Beware Metal Beak!"

Soren and his friends had once witnessed the death of an owl who told them that there was something even more awful than the so-called owl orphanage that they had run away from. At the time they had found this hard to believe. Now they are beginning to realize that there is something truly evil out there, something dreadful threatening all the owls. They can also see that the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place --- there was the strange abduction of Soren's sister and the other little owls, the loss of Ezylryb, the death of the loner owl, and the warning from Soren's parents. Everything seemed to point to this unknown owl called Metal Beak. Who was he and what did he want?

Soren and friends Digger, Gylfie and Twilight set out to find the answers to these questions. They also take some new friends and companions from the Ga'Hoole tree with them. With the skills they have all learned, they hope to be able to handle whatever challenges face them on this new and frightening quest.

Once again Kathryn Lasky takes us into her fascinating world of owls. Not only do they have their own history, mythology, language and sense of humor, the owls also have their own unique way of seeing the world. For them the black of night has shades of black, tones and depths that give them the power to see the world in a distinctive way. Their gizzards do more than crush their food; they also warn and guide them, giving them a sense of the future and the past.

Lasky has given her owls a depth of personality that is fascinating and captivating. She also leaves us with enough questions unanswered that we are left hanging, wanting more.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber (...)

The best so far!
Though I am 10 years old, I really understood the world Kathryn Lasky created with this series. This book has been the best so far with its amazing twists and surprise ending. I could not put this book down. I would recommend this book for adults and kids alike. I can't wait for book 5!

A Dangerous Rescue
A great book you should read is The Rescue. This is the third book of a series. In the first book, Soren is captured and is brought to St. Angies. He escapes and makes friends. In the second book, Soren and his friends find the Ga'hool Tree.

This book is about a barn owl named named Soren. He lives in the Ga'hool tree with his friends, Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, and his sister, Eglantine. Soren's teacher, Ezylrab, has been captured. Soren misses his teacher and he wants to find him. Soren sees his parents scrooms (a dead owl with unfinished business). They tell him to watch out for Metal Beak. So, Soren takes off with his friends to search for Ezylrab, and the mysterious Metal Beak. Metal Beak is a barn owl with a metal beak. Half of his face was ripped off in battle. It was replaced with a metal mask. He is the most feared owl in the world. Soren knocks off his enemy's mask in battle, and finds out his shocking identity.

I recommend this book to any one who likes adventure books with action scenes.

Jake's awsome owl reveiw
I liked the book The Rescue because, the author, Kathryn Lasky puts detail and thought into the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. She's also very good at hooking the reader, and tells you what you need to know about every character even if you didn't read the first two books. That's the reason I chose the book, The Rescue.

The story The Rescue is about a band of owls going on an adventure from the Great Ga' Hoole Tree to find Soren's teacher/mentor and bring him home safely. While on this rescue mission, they find Eglantine's, Soren's sister.
Old Great Downing Castle was controlled by Metal Beak and he tried to make Eglantine and other baby owls to think they were the purest owls on earth. Eglantine then realized that the flecks, which protected Metal Beak, the Great Downing leader, were gone. So they looked for the flecks, to make sure he did not have protection again. Once they found them, they burnt them. When the band of friends destroyed the last of the flecks, they found Ezylryb, but then were attacked by Metal Beak, which was infuriated about the burnt flecks. After a huge battle with him and his attackers, Soren stuck a coal on Metal Beak's mask, and half fell off. Who is this Mysterest owl behind the Mask, to find out you'll have to read the book.

Anyone could read this book, whether you wanted to or not because the author will hook you.
If you don't like a book that's all fiction than this book is great for you because the author gives true facts about owls. Some people may not like nonfiction books so much as they do fiction than that person could read this book which includes lots fiction. That's why I recommend this book to everyone.

What a hoot!
The last of the Guardians of Ga'hoole series, this book is by far the most interesting. Soren is finally with his sister, but his favorite ryb (teacher) has been missing for two months! Soren, Eglantine (his sister), Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, and Otulissa embark on a quest to discover the intentions of Metal Beak and the strange disappearance of Ezylryb. What will drop your gizzard at the end of this one? Read it and find out! ... Read more

Book Description

In the second book in the Guardiana Of Ga'Hoole series, Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger travel to the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, a mythical place where an order of owls rises each night to perform noble deeds. Soren and his group are seeking help to fight the evil they discovered in the owl world (in Guardians #1). After a harrowing journey, they arrive at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree and learn they will need to stay to receive training from the Ga'Hoolian elders. During his time at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, Soren finds (and then loses) a great mentor and he is reunited with his beloved sister. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

I can't stop reading this series
I liked this book because it was very interesting and had a great plot. What made this story terrific were the characters. Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger were amazing. They fight of enemies rescue owlets and everything else owls do. The four main characters really made this story awesome. My favorite part of the book is when Soren flies into a forest fire to retrieve coals for the great Ga'hoole tree. That's just one of the great parts. I can't wait to read the third book of this series.

This book is about a band of owls that are sent out to find the great Ga'hoole tree because they lost their families. At the Ga'hoole tree owls go out each night to perform noble deeds. When they arrive they are given their own hollow. Soon they will be put into chaws. A chaw is a group of owls who perform noble deeds like the search and rescue chaw. A weird thing happens to this search and rescue chaw, injured owlets start popping out of nowhere. They happen to come upon a strange owl that looks just like Soren. The owl is Soren's sister, Eglantine. When that is done one of the owls is missing, Ezylryb, Soren teacher wasn't there. Soren and his sister are sent out to find him.

People who like adventure and a little fantasy should read this book for sure.Teenager should also read this book because there are some hard words.

a great book
One of the best books I ever read was The Journey. This book is a sequel to another great book, The Capture. It is an adventure book.
This book is about an owl called Soren and his friends, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger. They fly to the safest place for owls, The Ga'hool Tree. The band of owls make new friends. Soren is put into a weather class where they have to fly through storms. Twilight and Digger were put into a rescue class where they have to save owls. When Soren has to fly through a big storm, he doesn't think he can make it. read the book to find out what happens to Soren.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes owls and adventures.

A beautifully and sensitively written book.
As they travel towards the Island of Hoole and the mythic Great Ga'Hoole Tree, Soren the barn owl and his traveling companions discover that there are many wondrous places in the lands of the Southern Kingdoms. They encounter a number of obstacles, which they face together as a band. Each member of the band contributes something and has some degree of strength that comes to the fore in times of trouble or stress.

After many adventures and frightening experiences, the young owls at last find the island that rests in the Sea of Hoolemere. They also learn that the Ga'Hoole tree is no myth. It exists and is even more remarkable in reality than any tale made it out to be. Soon, Soren and his friends are part of the extraordinary community of owls that live within the tree.

In this beautifully and sensitively written book, Kathryn Lasky has continued to build on the world she created in Book One, where owls are a very elite group of birds, proud and separate from the other animals. In no time, the reader is caught up in a story where both dreadful and wonderful things happen. As Soren struggles to understand his new environment, he slowly begins to learn that there is more to life than just what he sees, hears and touches. Soren's realization about his own abilities is an exceptionally strong and powerful element in THE JOURNEY. There is also the discovery by the owls that live in the Great Ga'Hoole Tree that something truly dreadful is happening to the baby owls in the Southern Kingdoms. We are left hanging, wanting to know what this evil is, and at the same time fearing for the welfare of these owls.

Because the owls possess both strengths and weaknesses, readers will have no problems identifying with, and growing fond of, the characters that Kathryn Lasky has created.

--- (...)

Great Glaux!
This is the second in the series of the Guardian's of Ga'hoole. Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger are searching for the legendary Ga'hoole Tree. Here they might find help as to what can stop St. Aegolius'.

On the way, the run across a wounded owl that tells them about something far worse than the Academy for Orphaned Owls. Will the band find the Tree, and find out what this terror is? Find out by reading the second in this great series!

Guardians of Ga'Hoole, The Journey
The Journey is about a barn owl named Soren, a elf owl named Gylfie, a great gray owl named Twilight, and a burrowing owl named Digger are on there way to the Great ga'Hoole Tree. on the way they kill a bocat, fly in a blizzard, andfly to the Ice Narrows. when he and his friends get there they sepate in to chaws( teams). Soren gets into the weather-interpretation and colliering chaw with Ezylyb as his ryb( teacher). One day three owls leave on a mission and Ezylybthatwas on the mission, never back. One day Digger, Twilight, and a other owl went on a mission to find owlets that fell out of their nest's and foun Soren's little sister Eglantine on the ground saying Tytos. When they got her to the tree Soren was scared for his sister. Later that night Madame Plonk sang with her beautiful voice while the snakes played the harp. Eglantine became herself again and Soren said," I will go find Ezylyb tomrrow. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Fans of Jean Craighead George's My Side of the Mountain (a Newbery Honor Book) and On the Far Side of the Mountain will be delighted to return to upstate New York's Catskill Mountains for the conclusion of her trilogy, which appears 40 years after the first title's publication in 1959. Written because a young fan asked, "What happened to Frightful?" this volume tells how Sam Gribley's peregrine falcon--that's Frightful--has to make her own way in the world after Sam is forced to release her. Although told in the third person, the story is developed entirely from the bird's point of view. George's narrative follows the falcon through a series of dangerous adventures (involving DDT, electricity lines, and unscrupulous bird traders, to name a few) as she learns to depend on her own instincts. The environmental message is slightly heavy-handed, but it's wrapped in an enjoyable story from a much loved and astoundingly prolific author. You don't need to have read the earlier books to make sense of this one, though it may help. (Ages 9 and older) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great book!
Frightful's Mountain is the sequel to My Side of the Mountain, and On the Far Side of the Mountain. It is about a boy named Sam Gribley. In this book Sam is worried that his falcon, Frightful is so attached him she won't be able to mate, or migrate. Will she be able to live on her own? To find out you must read the book.

Frightful's mountain
In the book Frightful's Mountain Sam's sister Alice frees Frightful from some mean people, but then Frightful gets lost trying to find Sam. While Frightful is hunting for food all of a sudden a male Falcon named Chup shows up and starts to show off by swooping upside down, Frightful mates with Chup and has three babies, Lady, Duchess, and Drum. Lady, Duchess, and Drum grow and learn to hunt by practicing on Frightful and Chup. Later in the story it's migrating season so all the birds go South to a hotter place but Frightful didn't migrate because she has survived through winter wit Sam before. Frightful has no food so she goes to find her hunting partner Mole the dog, when Frightful got there, Mole wasn't there and neither was the owner, So Frightful flies to a nearby house and sees Mole limping and bleeding and Mole had food! Usually Mole shares food with Frightful but this time Mole just snarled at her, Then two men with a net came out of the house and caught Frightful, they took Frightful inside and Frightful wiggled around until she was free at last, Frightful flew out of the house and saw a nearby telephone wire and went to land on it, the telephone wire shocked and burned her, Frightful fell to the ground, a nice man was walking near by and went to pick Frightful up, her feathers were burnt and she was shocked, she was almost dead but that's not the end so you'll have to read it to find out what happens. Peace out ya'll, Sayonara, Bye,Bye.

A Book For When You're Bored
I had to read this book for a project at school and I thought My Side of the Mountain was boring. Then I read On the Far Side of the Mountain and I thought that was better than the first. Then finally I read Frightful's Flight and I learned so much. I learned a lot about falcons and how to take care if them. I enjoyed this book and I thought it was a lot better than the first two. But I still think that this book is better to read when you're really bored.

Frightful's Mountain
" Frightful's Mountain" is a mouthful of adventure. It tells how a falcon tries to survive in the wild. This book is unforgettable. I give great thanks to Jean Craighead George; she did a wonderful job. She did so well you would not be able to stop reading. "Frightful's Mountain" gives a message that tell you that everything happens for a reason and that little animal can do a lot of things. At least I think so. I recommend this book to everyone for all ages, and I give this book a well deserved four stars.

Frightful's Mountain: A Great Book
Frightful's Mountain is about a peregrine falcon that is seraching for her previous owner. She must find out the one tree and the one mountain where he lives. She meets everything from dogs to poachers to other peregine falcons that come in her way. She finally gets back to him, but is then set free to live the life of a wild peregrine.
The reason I liked this book is because of its style. It was very much like the first book of the trilogy, except that it was from the falcon's point of view. I love adventure stories, so it is not a surprise that I believe this is exceptional literature, but this one puts you in the situation and sucks you into the text. I coundn't stop reading!
One other reason I believed this was one of the greatest books of all time is because it was so detailed. Descriptions lurked around every corner. I could almost see what was going on when I was reading! It was also very emotional and i wanted to get a tissue amnd cry into it. It was very impactful.
My favorite part was when Sam, Frightful's master, was trying to save two of her chicks that were stolen by poachers. His dog had crawled under the cabin's foundation and was met by a skunk's spray. The smell seeped through the floorboards and the poachers ran out of the building. Sam snuck in through the back door and collected the eyases in his hands. One of the poachers had run back in to get his gun and saw Sam. The conservation officers had come in just in time and had him at gunpoint. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

When a Giant Chicken Falls Flat
Before I ordered this book, I read the reviews. I bcame convinced this must be a zany, funny book -- just the thing for my children. So I went ahead and ordered not *The Hoboken Chicken Emergency" only, but a volume of novels by Pinkwater. Oh, well. It's only money (though it could have been better spent elsewhere).

*The Hoboken Chicken Emergency* does have a wonderful premise and some satire as well (hence my pleasure at reading its reviews). I suppose it also has lessons to be learned about fearing the unknown -- but didacticism is not enough to make a good book. Nothing covers up for the fact that this book just plain isn't very good -- not for a modern child to read. I knew I was in trouble when I began reading it aloud to my son: each sentence had a dying fall, and the wit was strained, not spontaneous and fetching. "What am I getting into," I thought. Henrietta the chicken is lost and Henrietta is found, but the whole thing was a contest to see if I could finish the book before my child rebelled -- or I did.

Sad to say, this book shows its age. Some of the writing, too, needs polish. If you are tempted to buy this self-consciously zany book, buy *I Was a Rat* instead. *I Was a Rat* is all heart. *The Hoboken Chicken Emergency* is all lumpy prose. I'm hoping for better things with the other Pinkwater volumes I purchased, but we shall have to see. I love older rediscovered books, but this one doesn't work. Children expect more depth of story, not just cleverness at the expense of story. I'm very sure readers have fond memories of this book, but memory alone cannot bring the book alive for a modern audience. Give *The Hoboken Chicken Emergency* a pass, and go for a funny book that's meaty with heart and soul. If *I Was a Rat" doesn't appeal, you might try *The Little Prince* (Antoine de Sainte-Exupery) -- my son doesn't really understand it, but he loves it and seems to recognize that there are real issues underlying the surface.

Chickens Need Our Love!
The Hoboken Chicken Emergency was a really good book. It is a good book for third grade and up to read on their own. It takes place in Hoboken, New Jersey around Thanksgiving. It's about a boy named Arthur who goes to look for a turkey for Thanksgiving. The problem comes when he can't find one. Instead he ends up getting a 266 pound chicken named Henrietta. Arthur tries to keep the chicken as a pet but it runs away. Henrietta (the chicken) feels unwanted and creates diasters all over town. Read the book to find out what happens next. We thought the book was hilarious, funny, and exciting. We are nine and ten years old and we liked the book alot!

Not the best of Pinkwater, but still a great book
I didn't enjoy this book as much as Lizard Music or the Snarkout Boys and the Avacado of Death, but I found it on the whole to be a very enjoyable read... Much reccomended for Pinkwater fans, and seems to be a popular first book for people who've never read any D.M.P.

Started out well, but lost something near the end
This started out very funny in the first chapter and then never came close to that again. My son liked it, but he's 7. It was good to read around Thanksgiving time which is when we read it, and it plays into one of the Time Warp Trio Books, Summer Reading is Killing Me, which is why we got this book.

i want to read this again...
i remember reading all the daniel pinkwater at the public library from 2nd to 3rd grade. hoboken chicken emergancy was the first one i checked out. i liked arthur, and i really liked henrietta. i wanted a chicken too. if you're a parent, i totally recommend buying this book and reading it to your kids. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

For hummingbird lovers of all ages
As a reading specialist I regularly review new children's books. As soon as I saw this one, I thought of my mom. She's a sharp-minded 87-year-old who loves poetry, art and hummingbirds. She gives the artistry, both words and watercolors, of this book an easy five stars.

Educators Recommend
One warm, February morning a tiny hummingbird began building a nest in a ficus tree on the patio of George's home in Claremont , California . For the next two months George kept a "hummingbird journal" of the daily happenings. "I still marvel," she writes, "over the surprising range of emotions one small bird and her family evoked: awe, worry about possible dangers, and laughter when the baby birds teetered on the edge of the nest for their daily flight practice."

George has expertly taken those emotions and woven them into this delightful collection of poems. In "Visitor" we are introduced to the small mother. She is nothing more than a "spark, a glint, / a glimpse of pixie tidbit." In the next poem, however, we see her bravado and determination in action. She becomes a "feathered missile streaking by," ordering the humans off her patio, out of her territory.

Soon two eggs are visible in the "cobweb ship" of a nest. Once hatched, the nestlings, "raisin black / an wrinkled," settle in. In "Flight Practice," George does a superb job at allowing the reader to visualize the drama taking place: "Four curled up feet grip / the top of the nest. / Two tiny motors / rev up for the wing test."

Moser is in top form here. His realistic, incredibly detailed watercolor paintings are small jewels in themselves.

The poems and illustrations combine wonderfully to allow readers the opportunity to vicariously witness nature up-close.

Highly Recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great bird book
This is a wonderful little book for children to learn some common American birds and their calls. The story is about a cat trying to catch a bird for lunch but the bell on the collar keeps giving him away, hence "feathers for lunch" but the illustrations are almost all birds such as the Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Morning Dove, House Wren, Northern Flicker, etc... My little boy actually likes Ehlert's "Top Cat" better, but this story has seen many readings. My boy can tell the difference between several birds that he sees in his backyard. Recommended for the little birders.

Terrific Book
This book, along with TOP CAT by the same author, are my kids' favorite books (ages 6,4 and 2). And I love them, too! I never tire of reading them out loud, although both of my older children can recite the book and "read" it themselves now. We checked it out from the library and kept renewing it over and over because the kids loved it so much. We finally bought our own copy and I know the kids are going to fight over who gets to take it with them when they move out 15 or so years from now. :) It is a delightful story and I love how Ms. Ehlert labels everything. I especially like the details provided at the end regarding the birds shown throughout the book.

Continues to be a favorite
Entertaining, colorful, informative --- what's not to like? I have to admit, however, that I feel sorry for the cat.

A must-have for young children
This wonderful book was the first favorite book of both my children; now the 5-year-old chants along from memory when the 18-month-old demands her daily reading(s). My only complaint about Feathers for Lunch is that it isn't available in a board book form--ours is held together with tape!

A practically perfect childrens book!
Bright, bold, uncluttered illustrations and a jaunty rhyme make this a perfect book for children ages 1-4. Toddlers and older can also learn to recognize some common North American birds. -One of our daughters' favorites. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Longing for adventure, Jack the blackbird decides one day to venture outfrom his forest home to seek the excitement of the sea. There he encounters adashing seagull named Jim, who welcomes Jack into his life and shows him thewonders of his seaside village. Unfortunately, the other (white) gulls aren't sohospitable. "Who's that funny bird," old Captain Seagull asks. In spite of Jim'sefforts to defend his friend, the villagers can't seem to get beyond Jack'sdifferences. Until, that is, they learn that he has a skill none of them do.Jack's ability to read funny stories from an old washed-up box of books wins thefriendship of the crusty gulls, and interspecies harmony abounds at last.

Though the story has an innocent sweetness to it and the plot line is pleasantlymeandering, the denouement seems forced as lessons about the importance oftolerance and the value of literacy are blurred. No question, the book's shiningglory is in its illustrations. Kitty Crowther's ink and watercolor pictures arequirky and appealing, with the seagulls dressed in jaunty stripes and Jack theblackbird in a handsome red shirt. The seagulls in the village have a mean,quarrelsome look about them, while Jack's and Jim's open expressions reflecttheir unbiased hearts. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Charming Tale of Acceptance
Jack and Jim charmingly tells the story of Jack, a blackbird, who comes to befriend a seagull named Jim. They meet on the beach (Fire Island?) and spend the night together, talking. The next morning, Jim takes Jack to his hometown, where Jim shows Jack the sights with his arm around his shoulder. After an exhasuting day, they spend the night together again. The next day, Jim's seagull friends reject Jack because he looks so different. Jack is thrilled when Jim tells him that if his neighbors can't accept Jack, then he won't be friends with them anymore. Later, Jack winds up winning Jim's friends over, and the formerly-nasty seagulls come to accept and value Jack. This is a sweet book about learning to respect diversity and to follow your heart. When I read the book to my three year old, he asked "Are they (Jack and Jim) partners?" Improbably, yes.

Excellent children's book!
This book has become one of my daughter's favorite books! It's illustrations, along with the message keep her attention. The story is about two friends who experience uncomfortable feelings from a seagull colony because one (Jack) is a black bird and the other (Jim) is a seagull. I picked this up from the local library, but will purchase it for my daughter's permanent collection. ... Read more

Book Description

David knew that one should be prepared for anything when one climbs a mountain, but he never dreamed what he would find that June morning on the mountain ledge.

There stood an enormous bird, with a head like an eagle, a neck like a swan and a scarlet crest. The most astonishing thing was that the bird had an open book on the ground and was reading from it!

This was David's first sight of the fabulous Phoenix and the beginning of a pleasant and profitable partnership. The Phoenix found a great deal lacking in David's education -- he flunked questions like "How do you tell a true from a false Unicorn?" -- and undertook to supplement it with a practical education, an education that would be a preparation for Life. The education had to be combined with offensive and defensive measures against a Scientist who was bent on capturing the Phoenix, but the two projects together involved exciting and hilarious adventures for boy and bird.

A wonderful read-aloud book, adventurous and very funny, with much of the magic as well as the humor of the fantastic. ... Read more

Reviews (68)

Absolutely fantastic, have never forgotten it and never will
I was never much of a reader. However, the summer of 1975, just before seventh grade, I picked my mothers old worn copy of the book that she had had since her childhood from her shelf and began to read it. I was enthralled immediately and was unable to put it down. I have never forgotten the excitement I felt while reading of David's adventures. Not only did this book launch me into a wonderful, unforgettable journey with David and the Phoenix, it put reading and fantasy into a new light. I have loved reading ever since and will never forget the book that showed me you can see without pictures. This book is exciting to all who read it and is definately a classic.

Unfortunately my mother no longer has her copy of the book, but I am determined to get another. I have children of my own now and it would be a terrible loss not to be able to share this story with them.

"David and the Phoenix" is an unforgettable learning adventure for all ages!!

This is THE book! Thank you so much, Edward Ormondroyd!
This is THE book! This is the book that made this boy fall in love with reading over 40 years ago. This book was my first love. This book has never left my memory. It is as though I read it yesterday. This is the book which filled this 10 year-old with wonder and thrills. This book was the first piece of art that made me cry. Read this book to your children or grandchildren... or better yet let them read it themselves... but don't be surprised if they can't put it down and read in bed under the covers with a flashlight when they are supposed to be sleeping. Through the years I have met so many of my contemporaries who fell in love with this book and have never forgotten it. One doctor who had read it suggested that it helps children of that age deal with their questions about life and death. After reading the first two Harry Potter books I am convinced that Rowling must have read this book. Be sure to read the reviews of this book in the "Out of Print" section of amazon.com. You'll see the impact that this book has. The people who read and were moved by this book brought it back into print through the internet reviews, auctions and rare book sites. If you have a 9-12 year old child buy them this book. Thank you Purple House Press for listening and bringing this book back into print after 40+ years. Thank you so much, Edward Ormondroyd!

Five Stars Is Not Enough
I am also one of the Weekly Reader veterans. And I danced and sang when I saw that David & the Phoenix had been re-issued. I don't either sing or dance that well, but I tried!

You must read this book. You must read it to your children, you must read it for yourself. It has that element that is so strangely missing from most kids' adventure stories: humor. Yes, there is threat. Yes, David must help his friend escape the threat, even though it costs David dearly.

But mostly, this is a very funny book! If you can get through David's first encounter with the Phoenix without laughing --? Well, you need a vacation!

It's funny, it's wonderful. For so long, I thought it had vanished forever. Now it's back. Please, anyone, read this book.

(And "Follow My Leader" was awfully good, too. Has some bright person finally figured out to go back to Weekly Reader? Can I hope for Danny Dunn?)

The Best Children's Book Ever
My second-grade teacher, Mrs. Osborne, had a yellow hard-cover copy of this book and, as was the custom at the time, read a chapter a day to the class just after lunch. It is because of the yellow book that I will never forget Mrs. Osborne. This book was long out of print and I went to a lot of trouble finding a copy in the used book market. I had to have a copy to read to my daughter so that she would have the same wonderful experience with David that I had many years before. The adventure is remarkable, the characters are alive and the story is top-notch. I now look forward to reading it to my grandchildren and I will do it, too. Do yourself and your children a favor and buy two copies. Put one in the safe deposit box in case it goes out of print again. Or, better yet, buy one copy for each of your children and one for the safe deposit box. That way, many generations will have you to thank for one of the best literary experiences that they will ever have.

Legends Become True!
David is a boy who has just moved to a new house. David sees a mountain up close for his first time. David climbs the mountain. David climbs the mountain and on top there is a burrow. When David looks in the burrow and he finds a Phoenix practicing Spanish verbs!
The Phoenix is taller than David is, it has a red crest on its head, and blue feathers. David startles the Phoenix. The Phoenix tells David to go away because he thinks David is pesky. David says sorry and starts to walk away; the Phoenix calls David back. They become friends and do stuff together.
There is a scientist that wants the Phoenix, dead or alive, to study him. He is a skinny, tall scientist that is very mean. The scientist saw the Phoenix one day. He has hunted him ever since. The Phoenix first lived on a mountain somewhere else, but he has moved over to this side because the scientist has been tracking him.
David and Phoenix decide to catch the scientist! To catch the scientist they have to make traps. They need money to make the traps. They go to the sea monster (one of Phoenix's friends) to ask for some of the money the monster has in the ground. The sea monster gives them two coins to use. They use the money to get the things for the two menacingly dangerous traps that are going to remove the scientist from play.
They don't catch the scientist. The Phoenix's 500th birthday is the next day. The next day Phoenix makes a pyre and burns himself. David feels so sad that he goes and cries. Many hours later out of the ashes comes a new Phoenix. David feels better but he knows that he will always miss Phoenix who was a good friend.
I really recommend you read this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Borden's father, Leon, was a logger in the old-growth forests of California. That is, until the spotted-owl lovers interfered. One day, frustrated by his father's unemployment, Borden sets out on a mission of revenge against the spotted owl but returns home with a half-starved owlet instead.
The family soon discovers that the owlet, whom Borden names Bardy, loves to take showers and watch late-night TV. Only after the whole family has fallen in love with Bardy do they realize that the conflict between nature and human industry is not so easily resolved.
Award-winning nature writer jean Craighead George tells a heartwarming story about a family and their love affair with a special little owl.

Reviews (35)

This is a light story about a serious issue.
Our book group read Owl in the Shower by Jean Craighead George. We think this book is appropriate for grades 3-5. This book's genre is fiction based on the real world issue of spotted owls. It's tone is a light story about a serious issue. The stroy takes place on the Pacific Coast of Northern California. The story's main charactar is Borden,the kid who found an owl and named it Bardy. He found the owl when he was hunting spotted owls. Bardy is a young spotted owlet that Borden mistakes as a Barred Owl because he doesn't have his spots yet. Leon is Borden's dad. He is a logger who lost his job because the government made them stop because the spotted owls are at the edge of extinction. He used to hate spotted owls but Bardy imprinted on him. We liked this because it taught us many facts about owls. We also liked it because it talks about a friendship between Leon and Bardy. We recommend this to people who like owls. We give it 3 and a half stars because it is a little slow and steady.

It's people vs. Owls!
Borden Watson's father finds out the rare owl they've been chasing is in the house. He's very mad. All day they searched and searched but couldn't find the owl. The next morning Borden goes to take a shower but guess who's in there? Yep you got it! The owl. the little boy screamed and the dad went and got his gun. Does he kill the poor litte owl? You'll just have to read this great book.

One of the best books I've ever read!
This book is awesome!I read the first chapter in the book store and I just had to take it home with me!If I could I would rate it 10 stars.

Owl lovers vs. loggers
It's owl lovers vs. loggers who hate the spotted owl for putting them out of job. It's an amazing book by an amazing author about a boy whos father was a logger and he took in an owlet that was on the ground. You won't want to miss this!

Lessons from our feathered friends
I came across this book while hunting for books suited to the educational needs of my nine-year-old cousin. This book explores the age-old conflict between economic progress and environmental concerns. The argument for both sides is presented in a manner easily understood by children of grade-school age, and although the book heavily and undisguisedly favors conservation, the humans in this story are warm, believable and not portrayed as selfish destroyers of old growth forests.
The protagonist of this story is young Borden, whose father, a lumberjack, loses his job following a government directive to preserve old growth forests in order that the habitat of the Spotted Owl may be saved. Borden's family is understandably angry, as it appears to them that the government cares more about owls than about people. Here we get the usual argument from the loggers' point of view that logging puts food on the table, that logging has always formed a substantial part of the economy, that the legislators have forgotten the role of the loggers in nation building (i.e. by providing timber for construction), that the extinction of the Spotted Owl would be no great loss to the human population and that the government should strive to protect the interests of people rather than of birds.
Borden enters the woods with the intention of killing the spotted owls that took his father's job. He finds, instead, an owlet that has fallen out of its nest. Assuming that it is a Barred Owl, Borden takes the owl home and names it Bardy. His out-of-work father develops affection for the owl and observes every stage of its growth. When Borden's father receives a summons for assault and public disorder after hitting an ecologist, he decides to bring the owlet to court with him to win over the sympathy of the judge and to convince the public that loggers are not enemies of owls. Soon, true love for the young owl wins him over and he decides to free the owl and pay the fine rather than capitalize on the owl for his own selfish motives. The family learns the consequences of forest loss when a family friend loses his job as a fisherman because the river is too polluted. Borden's father decides to retrain himself for other, more sustainable professions after he understands that change is inevitable and the welfare of the Planet is in his hands as well as the ecologists'.
The environmentalists' side of the story is that the destruction of wildlife habitats and the decrease in the number of Spotted Owls are indications that people are not managing the forests right. Indeed, the exploitation of natural resources does not mean that humans will be able to live better - it might mean that it will help people (poachers, loggers, wildlife traders etc) put food on the table for the time being, but natural resources would be dissipated quickly and human health would suffer more than if measures had been taken to sustainably manage rather than exploit resources. Every action has a consequence, this book teaches us, and if there are no more spotted owls, the rodent population would increase. If there are fewer trees then it won't be long before the loggers are truly out of work as there will be no trees left for them to cut. The loss of trees would cause the loss of vital watershed areas. There will be less fresh water for people, less freshwater fish and less clean air. People have to learn that their quality of life is intertwined with the fate of the Planet. More toys and gadgets and bigger homes do not make for a better life if the air, water and soil are polluted.
There is much to learn in this book about animal behavior. The title of this book comes from a stage in the transformation of the owlet into an adult owl. Owlets bathe shortly before they are prepared to learn to fly.
Far from being moralizing, this book is absorbing and teaches reverence for all beings, from people to owls and trees. A recommended read for children, parents and teachers. ... Read more

Book Description

Peedie is a small yellow gosling who sometimes forgets things. But he never forgets to wear his lucky red baseball cap. He wears it everywhere. Until he puts it in a secret place. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

my baby loves this cloth book
My six-month-old son loves this book.It is a wonderful stroller toy because it keeps him occupied for a long time.The cover is soft and snuggly; plus, the baby bird can be put in different little pockets throughout the book--so my two-year-old daughter loves to "read" this book to the baby.

One caveat: because it's so plush we let our son play with it in his crib and he got the string loosely wrapped around his neck.He's fine, and he still loves the book, but I certainly wouldn't let him play with it unsupervised again. ... Read more

Book Description

Rosie the hen leaves the chicken coop and sets out for a little walk. Right behind her is the fox, slyly trying to catch up with her. Rosie's walk is quiet, uneventful and eventually leads her back to the coop, blissfully unaware of the fox's travails as he tries -- unsuccessfully -- to navigate the obstacle course that Rosie has led him through. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Since I found my Rosie, how can I be blue?
A staple of humorous stories for years has been the idea of the oblivious protagonist. How many cartoons have you watched where the well meaning but bumbling hero comes within a hair's breath of death as some watchful soul (either someone who wants to hurt our hero or help them) accidentally falls into madcap trap after trap after trap? Tons. After all, it's funny stuff. Well "Rosie's Walk" ascribed to that idea way back in 1968 when it was first published. The tale of blithe Rosie and the doe eyed fox that wants to eat her is as old as the hills and still just as funny.

Rosie decides one day to go for a walk. As she does so a hungry fox gets wind of the plump little hen and decides to pounce upon her for his (her?) supper. Rosie takes no notice of this impending danger, and the book is simply a series of vignettes of chicken and fox locked in that eternal conflict of hunter and prey. The text, such as it is, is very simple. It never makes a single mention of the fox, choosing to only describe Rosie's walk. In fact, one could write the entire book out in a single sentence since there are only 32 words in total. It is a deceptively simple book.

So what makes this such a fabulous story? Well, what Pat Hutchins overdoes in brevity, she makes up for with some of the most elaborate pen and ink drawings I've seen in a long time. Rosie, for one, is a joy. Her expression never changes for a moment. This hen is oblivious to not only the fox, but also the world at large. She walks about with her eyes at half-mast wearing an expression of deep disinterest. If you happen to know a typical teenager, that teenager in chicken form would be Rosie. The fox, on the other hand, makes up for all the emotions that nonplussed Rosie lacks. This is a beautiful creature, sporting an elaborately illustrated body and soft melting eyes. It doesn't hurt that every picture in this book looks like it was fun for the author/illustrator to draw. Birds flying in the trees are a complex amalgamation of dots, patterns, and slinky black lines. Even the grasshoppers in the fields are elaborate combinations of circles and lines. Rosie's feathers alone are so well organized and detailed that I'd half like to frame her and put her up on my wall. And though the gags directed against the poor schlimazel of a fox are obvious, they're well executed. Hutchins has a wonderful sense of timing in this story. This book is truly a class act. For any beginning reader, this is a tale to both impress and humble. A really wonderful picture book.

Goody! This book is still in print
Shopping for a book for the 2yo child of a friend, I was delighted to find this long-time favorite of my own children is still in print. Picture-heavy, at the expense of words, the book is best suited for kids from 2-5, not for those who can read.
Rosie is a rather clueless chicken who leaves the coop to take a little stroll. Waiting for her is the proverbial fox, but every time he makes his move, some mishap unwittingly initiated by Rosie puts him out of commission. Rosie wanders on, completely unaware of the mayhem left in her wake - and gets back to the chicken coop none the worse for wear. The fox, on the other hand, probably thinks switching to vegetarianism might be a good idea.

Very few words
I give this book 5 stars because it would be a great book for *very* young children. But, be warned. This book has very few words. The story is told mainly through the illustrations. It will not hold the interest of children ages 4+ as a read-aloud. The age level is incorrect here-- it should be Baby-Preschool, not ages 4-8.

A neat and cool book!
Hi, I am a girl (of course). I am age 7. I think this is a great book for everyone because it's easy to understand and it's good that the author does that. It is neat too because Rosie the rooster is going for a walk and a fox is following her and when she walks, like around the pond, the fox falls in it and so on and so on. The cool thing is that like in one page Rosie walks across something then the next page there is no writing but it shows the bad thing that happened to the fox. It is interesting to me because I think the illustrations are neat. I'm not sure if Pat Hutchins did the illustrations too.

A very funny book for both children and adults
This is a wonderful book. The illustrations are great and the humor is infectious. My two-year-old son loves it and goes right for the pages where the fox gets in trouble. It's great to see a book that has subtle (and not-so-subtle) humor designed to appeal to children and adults alike. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

I love it!
The text in the book is very sweet. However, the best part about this book are the pictures. They are very vibrant and extremely beautiful. I read it to my class and they really enjoyed it. ... Read more

Book Description

Edward the emu was sick of the zoo,
There was nowhere to go, there was nothing to do,
And compared to the seals that lived right next door,
Well being an emu was frankly a bore.

Tired of his life as an emu, Edward decides to try being something else for a change. He tries swimming with the seals. He spends a day lounging with the lions. He even does a stint slithering with the snakes.

But Edward soon discovers that being an emu may be the best thing after all. And so he returns to his pen, only to find a big surprise awaiting him. . . .

... Read more

Reviews (9)

A wonderful story for children
I read this story to my son after a recent trip to the zoo. We both loved it. The illustrations are wonderful as are the characters.

Darling...
This book is absolutely darling! And funny, and fun. We LOVE Edward! The large print, the rhyming verse, and the PERFECT illustrations combine to make this one of our very favorite books, not to mention the nice little message of "being yourself". We received it as a gift, but have purchased 5 more to give to my son's friends for Christmas. Buy this book - you won't regret it.

One of the funniest books ever written!
"Edward the Emu" is one of the funniest books I have ever read! I use it in storytime with three year olds and I laugh as much as they do! Edward is silly but determined to be a different animal but at the end decides he likes being himself. What a wonderful way to show kids that everyone is unique and special in their own way!

An emu in the zoo for you
This delightful rhyming story takes the reader on the adventure of Edward the Emu, who decides being an Emu is boring, and travels around the zoo, trying to be other animals, only to discover that perhaps being an Emu is the best thing there is. With its fantastic illustrations, and rollicking rhymes, this would make a great bedtime story (and it isn't too long for parents who start dropping off to sleep when pressed into reading for ages each night).

Kids love it!
I am a school teacher and over the years I have read this book to hundreds of children of primary age. They have all loved it. The story line is amusing and the illustrations are fantastic. It is good to use with younger children and get them to predict what the next part of the story is going to be. I was very pleased to see that this book is still in print as I have had over 10 years of fun out of it already. ... Read more

Book Description

Welcome to Owl's cozy home.

Owl lives by himself in a warm little house. One evening he invites Winter to sit by the fire. Another time he finds strange bumps in his bedroom. And when Owl goes for a walk one night, he makes a friend that follows him all the way home.

Reviews (20)

Owl-eyed enchantment
This book is both beautiful and sweet. I initially checked it out from the library because I was looking for books that were more challenging