The Lighthouse Children (I Can Read Books) [Library Binding]

Sydney Hoff (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Series: I Can Read Books

Sam and Rose live in a lighthouse by the sea.Every day, they feed the hundreds of seagulls that come to visit them––treating the gulls like their own children.But one day a storm destroys the lighthouse, and Sam and Rose must move away.Will their lighthouse children be able to find them?Just right for the beginning reader, this is a Level 1 I Can Read Book that readers will want to return to again and again.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Sam and his wife, Rose, tend a lighthouse by the edge of the sea. When a terrible storm damages it beyond repair, they move inland. They enjoy their new surroundings but miss the gulls who flew in for food everyday. Rose suggests they shine a beam of light from their rooftop to attract the birds. While somewhat unlikely, her plan works and the whole neighborhood turns out to meet their "family." Hoff's characteristic colorful illustrations capture the mood of the text and make this another winner in his long list of easy readers.
Lesley McKinstry, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, OH
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-2. The "children" in the title of this brisk read-alone in the I Can Read series are the 100 seagulls that Sam and Rose affectionately feed everyday. But when a storm destroys the old couple's lighthouse, they move far away from the sea--and their birds. Junior readers may be so caught up in the ingenious reunion that they won't mind the occasional suspension of belief. The continuous text has an inviting cadence ("Lanny, Nanny, Helga and Zelga!"), while Hoff's familiar comic-style artwork is done up in perky primary colors. Julie Corsaro --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (January 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060229594
• ISBN-13: 978-0060229597
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,995,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Syd Hoff is a much-loved and much-read author and illustrator of numerous books for children. Born and raised in New York City, he studied at the National Academy of Design and sold his first cartoon to The New Yorker when he was eighteen. Since then his cartoons have become a regular feature in many magazines and newspapers. Syd Hoff and his wife live in Miami Beach, Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant Easy Reader, November 11, 2008

By 

Ruth R. King "Bookish Ruth" (Spring City, PA , USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lighthouse Children (I Can Read Book 1) (Paperback)

Sam and Rose live in a lighthouse by the sea. Although the elderly couple has no children, they're incredibly devoted to the 100 sea gulls that fly to the lighthouse each day. They feed the gulls and watch out for them as the birds play in the ocean. Every night the sea gulls fly away, but they faithfully return the next morning to see Sam and Rose.

When a terrible storm completely destroys the lighthouse, Sam and Rose move inland. They enjoy their new home and new neighbors, but miss their beloved sea gulls. Rose devises a plan to lead the gulls to their new home. Ultimately, they are joyously reunited with their "lighthouse children".

It may be puzzling to an older reader why the couple, who have just lost everything, would leave what little they do have left (their "children", as they lovingly refer to the sea gulls). While the art is bright and engaging, the lighthouse looks more like a baby's bottle than a lighthouse beacon. However, the sweet story, colorful art and rhyming names of the sea gulls ("Hank, Frank, Molly, and Dolly!") in this easy reader will be very inviting to young children.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Syd Hoff, January 28, 2012

By 

Lewis Eric Weil, Jr. "Persop" (AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lighthouse Children (I Can Read Book 1) (Paperback)

Syd Hoff stories are always good. Both artwork and story are more symbolic than like an exact replica.You know there are people although they do not look like people. Lighthouses had many shapes. The lighthouse is unmistakeable because of location and background. No young child is going to analyze the pictures as to their accuracy If they have seen or read other Syd Hoff the artwork may tell them the illustrator, author. Seagulls don't love human beings and could not possibly know a beacon at night from a house far in land is their former feeder's. The story is a nice image of substitution, suffering a loss and an attempt to rectify it. It is a story to be enjoyed by early readers and possibly a lesson in kindness and problem solving. A nice concept for all age readers.