Warton and the Traders

Our rating: ****½

Picture Books Younger Readers

Warton and the Traders (Paperback)
by Russell E. Erickson
ISBN: 0440494109

Price:
8 used & new available from USD 0.99

Warton sets off once again to visit his Aunt Toolia, this time to deliver some canned goods. On the way, he meets two woodrats and helps them escape from a wildcat. The woodrats tell Warton that they live in The Bogs and that the wildcat had been plaguing their colony for several days. When he arrives at his aunt’s house, Warton finds that Aunt Toolia has been missing for some time and, with the help of a whippoorwill, finds her in the the dangerous Bogs caring for an injured fawn. Knowing that two small toads cannot possibly cart enough food for such a large animal, Warton leaves to locate the colony of woodrats and enlist their help. But the woodrats insist that everything be a trade, and Warton has nothing to offer in return for their help in feeding the fawn—unless he can find some way to get rid of the wildcat.

Warton and the Traders is perfect for younger readers who want more than a short picture book, but it is written in a way that appeals to the older crowd as well. The story is well-told, amusing and has no objectionable material. Warton and the Traders is part of a series about Warton and Morton, the first being A Toad for Tuesday, with the others following in no particular order.

Why did I read it?Could have been betterAverageFantastic!Incredibook! (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Other books you may enjoy:

The Little Cow and the Turtle

Our rating: ****½

All Ages

The Little Cow and the Turtle (Hardcover)
by Meindert Dejong
ISBN:

Price:
13 used & new available from USD 2.95

The little cow is very curious and is always ready to investigate new things around the farm. She makes friends with picnicking children, a group of hoboes, and a man changing a tire. One day, the little cow discovers a snapping turtle that is moving to a new pond. The cow follows the turtle on its journey across a road, several fields, and the dangerous railroad track.

There really isn’t much to say about The Little Cow and the Turtle. It is a wonderful, simple story with no swashbuckling action and no tough decisions—just a curious little cow and a grumpy old turtle. This beautifully written, memorable tale has become one of my new favorites.

Why did I read it?Could have been betterAverageFantastic!Incredibook! (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Other books you may enjoy:

Sea Pup

Our rating: ***½

All Ages

Sea Pup (Hardcover)
by Archie Binns
ISBN:

Price:
1 used & new available from USD 95.29

Clint Barlow goes on a sailing expedition one day and finds an orphaned harbor seal. Unwilling to just leave the animal and interested in all things having to do with the ocean, Clint takes the seal home and gains permission to keep it until it makes trouble. The seal, Buster, becomes a good friend to Clint, but soon becomes a nuisance when he steals milk from cows, “helps” fishermen with their catches, and scares a family who have never seen a seal, much less a tame one. Clint also finds that Buster is always in danger because almost everybody in the area considers seals as pests to be shot on sight. The Barlows try sending Buster to Alaska, only to have the seal return. Clint is torn between keeping his friend forever and finding a place where Buster will be safe from harm.

Sea Pup presents a fairly good take on the “adopt an orphaned wild animal” theme. There are times when Clint seems to act young for his age and, with his interest in science, there are some references to the evolutionary origin of seals. Thankfully, these do not dominate the story. The ending could have used some work, but on the whole the story is an enjoyable light read.

Why did I read it?Could have been betterAverageFantastic!Incredibook! (1 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...

Other books you may enjoy:

Shark Lady: True Adventures of Eugenie Clark

Our rating: ****

All Ages

Shark Lady: True Adventures of Eugenie Clark (Paperback)
by Ann Mcgovern
ISBN: 0590447718

Price: USD 4.99
158 used & new available from USD 0.10

Ever since she was a child, Eugenie Clark wanted to swim with sharks. She spent hours in the aquarium watching the fish in fascination and dreaming of the day when she would be able to study them in the wild. And when she grew up, she got that chance.

This book chronicles Dr. Eugenie Clark’s life, albeit in a somewhat condensed form. Shark Lady was one of my favorite books when I was somewhere in the eight to ten years old range. It has lovely illustrations, and is told in an engaging manner without being too choppy or “watered down” for young kids.

Why did I read it?Could have been betterAverageFantastic!Incredibook! (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ... Loading ...

Other books you may enjoy:

Petunia

Our rating: ***½

Picture Books Younger Readers

Petunia (Hardcover)
by Roger Duvoisin
ISBN: 0394808657

Price: USD 11.55
88 used & new available from USD 0.10

One day, Petunia, the silly goose, finds a book lying on the ground. Petunia has heard the farmer say that those who own books and love them will be wise, so she keeps the book, believing that she will no longer be a silly goose. With her new-found wisdom, Petunia feels that she is qualified to give advice to the rest of the farm animals but, since she has never read the book, her advice has disastrous (and explosive) results.

Petunia is a silly story with a moral. Although the moral is a little too obvious, the rest of the book comes across well, is very enjoyable, and makes a good start to a small series featuring the silly goose.

Why did I read it?Could have been betterAverageFantastic!Incredibook! (No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Other books you may enjoy: