________________ CM . . . . Volume XXI Number 11. . . .November 14, 2014

cover

A Woodpecker’s Tale. (A Tell-Me-More! Storybook).

Sean Cassidy.
Markham, ON: Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 2014.
32 pp., hardcover, $18.95.
ISBN 978-1-55455-284-9.

Subject Heading:
Woodpeckers-Juvenile fiction.

Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 4-8.

Review by Roxy Garstad.

**** /4

   

excerpt:

Pierce puffed out his chest. "I've watched you, Mama.
Find an old tree. Hammer the wood.
Eat the yummy bugs.
I can do it."

 

The latest addition to the popular "Tell Me More! Storybook" series, A Woodpecker's Tale recounts the story of Pierce, a young woodpecker who exhibits a strong desire to leave the nest and assert his freedom. His youthful innocence and lack of survival instincts regularly get him into trouble with nature and its more formidable creatures, including an attacking skunk, an ornery owl, and angry bees. But Pierce's warning about the bees endear him to his scowling animal neighbours, providing him the opportunity to ingest the bugs he so desired initially. As a result, Pierce appears in a more peaceful state when he encounters his mother again, who, of course, is not told of her little one's adventure.

internal art     The detailed and colourful illustrations will be attractive to young readers. The animals are portrayed with great detail, including the depiction of individual feathers and hair. Each animal displays human-like expressions appropriate to the narrative. The final two pages of the book provide much scientific information about woodpeckers and their environment, along with artistic activities, such as how to draw a woodpecker.

      A Woodpecker's Tale takes the classic coming-of-age theme and re-purposes it in an attractive format, both in the narrative and the illustrations. The bonus material at the end only adds to its appeal. Highly recommended for all children's book collections.

Highly Recommended.

Roxy Garstad is the Collection Assessment Librarian at MacEwan University in Edmonton, AB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

Next Review | Table of Contents For This Issue - November 14, 2014.
CM Home
| Back Issues | Search | CM Archive | Profiles Archive