The Parakeet Girl (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) [Paperback]

Marilyn Sadler (Author), Roger Bollen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Step into Reading

Kids who like to laugh will love Emma Tuttle, The Parakeet Girl, who goes everywhere with her pet bird, Henry, on top of her head. But when Henry's fancies turn to a pretty parakeet named Kate, Emma finds herself birdless and blue. Until, that is, she hears an unfamiliar peep-peep from Henry and Kate's cage...  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?Emma Tuttle wants a pet, but she can't seem to find the right one. Finally, she is matched with a parakeet, Henry, who becomes her constant companion. All is rosy until he falls in love with another bird, and the little girl becomes jealous. In the end, parakeet babies capture her heart, and Emma is happy again. In spite of the simplistic plot, this story is entertaining. Emma and her parakeet do everything together?watch TV (the bird holds the remote control), go to school (Henry sharpens pencils with his beak), and take piano lessons (he sits on Emma's head). Bollen's cartoon illustrations successfully add to Sadler's light humor and show the child's many emotions throughout the amusing tale. A good choice for beginning readers.?Sharon R. Pearce, San Antonio Public Library, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 1^-3. The language is simple, but the pet story takes lots of unexpected twists and turns in this Step into Reading book with exuberant cartoon illustrations. Emma wants a pet, but the puppy prefers Emma's mom, the kitten makes Emma sneeze, and the goldfish doesn't seem happy to see her. Henry the parakeet turns out to be the perfect pet until Emma's brother gets a parakeet, too, and everything changes. New readers will see that a story can surprise you, and they will appreciate the expressive pictures that show Emma's bond with her pet (perched on top of her head, he is a great hit when she takes him to school) and Emma's sadness when things don't go right. Hazel Rochman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; PF edition (March 18, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679872892
• ISBN-13: 978-0679872894
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,964,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My four year old loves this book, April 14, 2008

By 

sf reader (nj, usa) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Parakeet Girl (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

Poor Emily Tuttle can't find a pet that loves her until she finds Henry the parakeet who loves her until Kate the female parakeet comes along. Emily is very sad until Henry and Kate have baby parakeets that take Henry's place. The book is very humorous and the illustrations are very warm. What I especially like about the book are the morals that life changes and we have to understand changes in others feelings and eventually things work out for the better.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Tail of Two Birds, February 24, 2003

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Parakeet Girl (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

This enjoyable book teaches the responsibility of having a pet, and how unintended things can happen (the dog loves someone else more than they love you; you're allergic to the cat; a fish is boring). However, when young Emma Tuttle finds her ideal pet, a beautiful green parakeet named "Henry,", the author indulges in some fun, fanciful adventures. Together, Emma and Henry watch TV, and go to piano lessons and the dentist.

After some initial resistance from her teacher, Mrs. Crump (don't teachers who abide by the rules ever have friendly-sounding names?), Henry becomes the teacher's--and the class--pet! However, when Emma's brother acquires a female bird, "Kate," Henry's thoughts turn to love. All is resolved when the two birds have two babies, and Emma and the teacher have four birds to love (and sharpen their pencils!).

A fun book for the young reader and animal lover, with 48 nicely illustrated pages. The publishers list this as a "Step 2 Book: Grades 1-3."