Feathertop [Paperback]

Robert D. San Souci (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1995 | Age Level: 4 and up

Long ago in New England, a powerful witch made a scarecrow from a collection of old scraps. The witch was so pleased with her creation that she decided to bring it to life. With a puff of magic smoke, the scarecrow was transformed into a handsome young man and christened Feathertop. The mischievous witch then sent Feathertop off to woo the beautiful Polly Gookin, and soon Feathertop and Polly were deeply in love. But Feathertop was, after all, merely a patchwork of sticks and witchcraft. Only the magic of love could make him truly human.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to PW, this retelling "preserves a surprising amount of drama-even in this truncated form, the plight of the scarecrow who loves a mortal girl retains its affecting overtones." Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The smoothly flowing oral quality of Robert San Souci's text is matched by the interpretation in brilliant colors and lively action of Daniel San Souci's pictures, making Feathertop a highly effective picture book for any season of the year." -- School Library Journal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440410967
• ISBN-13: 978-0440410966
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 9.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,506,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CHARMING BOOK, October 5, 2000

By 

Picatso "Picatso" (VAN WERT, OHIO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feathertop (Paperback)

This is a delightful book, not the least because of its beautiful pictures. The wording is imaginative and evocative, and the story is based on a piece by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Its magical theme lets children indulge their natural penchant for imagination and the world of "what if...!" A thoroughly charming tale about a "charmed" gentleman who started life in a most unusual way.

9 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing scarecrow story, October 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Feathertop (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me as a tale similar to the Velveteen Rabit tale. I purchased it with that in mind to read to my first graders. Now, I understand the need for reading elements and plots to carry the reader to imaginary worlds. I am not an advocate of strict censorship because a book has one or two "bad words" in it. Nor am I a "goody-two-shoes". Having said that, I would highly discourage teachers reading this book in their classroom. I did not preview the book before I read it, which taught me a valuable lesson. I ended up previewing every line before I read it orally to my students. My children were very bored! This book is anything but appropriate for 4-8 year olds. The wording is very elaborate. It celebrates witchcraft when it implies that although the witch had evil intentions, she had fun doing it. Toward the end of the book, the girl who is the object of the scarecrow's affection goes to the witch. The witch tells her that, "All people in love are wizards and witches." Why did the author have to put that in the book? It has nothing to do with the story! The theme of the story is that all things can become real if you love them. This story has a very odd way of getting to that point. The book is too long and very much over a 4-8 year old's vocabulary. If the book was intended for young children, it story should have been met with sensitivity and discretion. I am very disappointed that such a good moral was ruined by the story's characters, events, and thoughts implied in it.