Chestnut Cove [Hardcover]

Tim Egan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Though Chestnut Cove is a rather eccentric small town, it's usually the kind of place where folks stop and smell the roses. And everyone's always willing to help one another out. But when King Milford offers his entire kingdom to "whosoever grows the largest and juiciest watermelon by summer's end," the atmosphere in the village begins to change. The people start to daydream about what they could do with the riches and obsessively attend to their gardens. Will greed and watermelons ruin the friendly town of Chestnut Cove?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers who were charmed by the subtle illustrations and dry wit of Egan's Friday Night at Hodges' Cafe will find more of the same in his second picture book. Chestnut Cove, a coastal village, harbors a neighborly population of animal characters, most of them hippo-like. When their king says he'll bequeath his realm to "whosoever grows the largest and juiciest watermelon," the townsfolk scoff-at first. Then they consider the perks of wealth: "It was endless how much they didn't have." Before long, each homeowner jealously tends a melon garden: Joe Morgan and his cow, Thelma, slosh milk at would-be trespassers, and Mrs. Lark and her pig, Eloise, sleep outdoors to protect their gargantuan fruit. Only when Eloise slips off a cliff and Joe Morgan climbs to her rescue do Chestnut Cove's denizens agree to resume their friendly ways. Egan follows a familiar recipe for conflict in introducing the town-wide competition; his tale of how greed can threaten friendship is well-worn but astutely told. Although some may wish for a less moralistic tale, the author's artwork-with its warm, organic tones of green, gray, brown and yellow-is both highly original in its sensibility and classic in its appeal. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Egan follows up Friday Night at Hodges' Cafe (Houghton, 1994) with another slightly daft story about waging peace. When King Milford offers his entire kingdom to the grower of the largest watermelon, the neighborly atmosphere of Chestnut Cove darkens with suspicion and jealousy as residents vie for the prize. As the summer passes, tension mounts?until suddenly, the day before judging, the whole town turns out to rescue Mrs. Lark's pet pig, Eloise, from a tight spot; all realize how silly they've been, and the event becomes a companionable all-night melon fest. When Milford sees the paltry specimens left, he sails away in disdain. In the tradition of James Marshall's George and Martha (Houghton), the shmoo-like hippos (in antique small-town dress) of Chestnut Cove are drawn with utmost simplicity, but their tiny eyes and eyebrows convey a world of feeling. Ducks, pigs, and emulike birds roam freely through tidy streets and spacious living rooms, fully accepted members of the community. A distinctive, unconventional ribtickler with a deftly delivered point.?John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395698235
• ISBN-13: 978-0395698235
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,934,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tim Egan is the author and illustrator of several offbeat and humorous tales for children. Born in New Jersey, Tim moved to California to attend the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He still lives in southern California with his wife, Ann, and their two sons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Chestnut Cove, a nice book, July 11, 2011

By 

J. Szyarto (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chestnut Cove (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books) (Paperback)

Chestnut Cove is a nice book written by Tim Egan. The message is subtle. My third graders enjoyed discussing the theme. I plan to use it with my fourth graders this year in our Friendship Circle.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a gem..., August 20, 2007

By 

Karen (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chestnut Cove (Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Books) (Paperback)

I've used this book for a beginning-of-the-school-year story for many years now, and always find that my students are charmed by Tim's offbeat characterizations. There's a message here, no doubt about it; but it is presented in a gentle, humorous manner, and doesn't ever descend into the treacly sentiments that can be found in some children's books. As so many fine authors do, Tim Egan writes for children AND adults. There is no dumbing-down here. It's always hard to tell who enjoys this story more -- my students or me. If you want a subtle, yet pointed, story about Waging Peace and Cooperation, give this a shot. (And then try "Friday Night at Hodges' Cafe", if you haven't already.) And don't forget to check out his illustrations closely; you'll find names of his wife & sons, as well some fun details that add to the enjoyment.