The Eagle (The Lighthouse Family) [Hardcover]

Cynthia Rylant (Author), Preston McDaniels (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Lighthouse Family

A mysterious forest stands near the lighthouse where Lila and her brother Whistler live. When these mouse children become curious about the forest and ask permission to go exploring, they discover enchantment, adventure and, best of all, a new friend. Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Preston McDaniels bring us the beauty of both the forest and the sea in this new story about a wonderful family: The Lighthouse Family.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4–This third installment in the series features Pandora, the cat who has been the keeper of the lighthouse for many years; Seabold, a canine sailor; and three mouse orphans, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny. Seabold teaches Whistler and Lila how to use his compass so they can explore the autumn woods. Lila looks for fairy rings, and Whistler looks for bugs. When he misplaces the instrument and the two mice lose their way, they are rescued by a wise eagle. Graphite drawings expand on the nostalgic, quaint tone of the text and capture the charming characters' expressions. This book is similar in mood, voice, and quality to Joanna Hurwitz's "Park Pals Adventure" series (SeaStar). A solid early chapter book that is suitable for most collections.–Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In a lighthouse by the ocean, Seabold, a dog, and Pandora, a cat, raise three little mice children, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny. When Whistler and Lila venture into the forest one day, they find mossy logs and a fairy ring of mushrooms, but they lose their way and their compass. Help comes in the surprising form of a gentlemanly eagle that returns their compass, takes them to his treetop nest, and returns them to the lighthouse just in time for lunch. With at least one ink drawing on every double-page spread and two-page illustrations introducing each chapter, the graceful artwork helps define both settings and characters. The details in both the story and the illustrations make the tale more involving and endearing. The little mice are self-reliant, their parents are sensible, and even their natural predator becomes a trusted family friend. The third volume in the Lighthouse Family series, this short chapter book will appeal to children who like their fantasy stories on the cozy side. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (July 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689862431
• ISBN-13: 978-0689862434
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,108,413 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Rylant is the author of numerous distinguished novels and picture books for young readers. In addition to her beginning-reader series: Henry and Mudge, Poppleton, and Mr. Putter and Tabby, as well as her Cobble Street Cousins early-chapter series, she is also the author of the Newbery Medal-winning Missing May, the Newbery Honor Book A Fine White Dust, and two Caldecott Honor-winning picture books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story about getting lost!, November 15, 2008

By 

Anne (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Eagle (Lighthouse Family) (Paperback)

This series is a wonderful treasure to share with your children. Read the first one first, The Storm. It introduces you to the characters and develops the story line. After that, the rest can be read out of order and they will still make sense. There are 5 books, I believe in the series.

This book in particular is really good because the mice children get lost and the eagle helps them get back. It is a good book to help you talk to your children about getting lost and what to do. It isn't too scary for young children, but it does help them understand what it means to be scared when if they were to get lost.

I highly recommend this book!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Way better than many books for this agegroup, May 15, 2010

By 

pghmom - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eagle (Lighthouse Family) (Paperback)

Not scary but not boring, wholesome but exciting, and enjoyable for parents to read aloud. Cynthia Rylant is great & my 6-year-old daughter loves this series.