Acorn Magic [Hardcover]

Maggie Stern (Author), Maggie S. Terris (Author), Donna Ruff (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 1998 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Simon thought he had found the perfect trick - a way to catch magic. But when he stops paying attention to the world around him, Simon misses a deeper magic. He only discovers this magic when he comes face to face with a moose.'

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-On one summer afternoon, young Simon travels up a nearby mountain with his next-door neighbor to camp overnight and do some birdwatching. In his eagerness to collect acorns, the boy reacts too slowly to see the birds that Mrs. Potter spots with her binoculars, and he feels even more let down when a thunderstorm arrives at bedtime. However, when he sees a moose standing at the edge of the lake at daybreak, Simon finally knows his own special moment. Later on, at home, he plants a special acorn-a gift from Mrs. Potter-in his garden so he can watch its slow, magical growth into a tree. Simon and Mrs. Potter were originally introduced in The Missing Sunflowers (Greenwillow, 1997). In both stories, the older woman offers the boy small lessons in nature along with some simple but profound insights into life. Heavily applied acrylics in shades of green, orange, and blue create impressionist-style paintings that range in size from smaller vignettes to full double-page spreads. This quiet, reassuring story of intergenerational friendship can be used to introduce young children to the beauty and mysteries of nature and as a lead-in toinformational books on animal behavior such as those by Jim Arnosky.
Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

After Simon's neighbor gives him a "magic" acorn, he sees all kinds of creatures. He is certain that if he gathers more acorns while he is camping with his neighbor, he will see evenmore birds and animals. Simon pays so much attention to the acorns at his feet that he misses the garter snake, eagle, and goldfinch which crossed his path. There is still more "magic"to come, however, as Simon comes face to face with a towering moose and learns the true magic of acorns is their ability to grow into magnificent trees. --"Herald Standard," November 1998

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (August 20, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688156991
• ISBN-13: 978-0688156992
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,176,744 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Acorn Magic!, April 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Acorn Magic (Hardcover)

I think that this book would definitely get children interested in camping. It is something that they could relate too because it is about someone thier age. The child who read this book or had it read to them would probably be very interested in camping and learn more about it in the process. I would definitely recommend this book for children ages 4-8.