Sweet Magnolia [Hardcover]

Virginia Kroll (Author), Laura Jacques (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Denise visits her grandmother, a wildlife rehabilitator in the Louisiana bayou, and helps heal and free an injured painted bunting chick.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A tour of Cajun country, an intergenerational story, a lesson in letting go and an up-close look at wildlife-this text-heavy, poorly paced picture book combines all of these elements without serving any of them well. As part of her birthday present when she turns six, Denise travels by herself to visit Grandma in the bayou. Grandma works as a wildlife rehabilitator, and so Denise helps her tend a wounded owl, fox and bobcat. And Grandma guides Denise when she finds an injured bird. As Denise nurses it, Grandma promises, "She's yours." But when the creature is ready to fly, Grandma explains, "She's yours to help... yours to heal... yours to set free." Right after the bird flies off, Grandma brings Denise to a fais dodo (party), where she samples gumbo and jambalaya, hears zydeco music and dances. The gawky narrative and stiff art crowd out attempts to establish atmosphere, much less generate genuine feeling. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-This story offers an affectionate grandmother-granddaughter relationship; an excellent ecological message; and a good look at the bayous, wildlife, and the Cajun culture of Louisiana. Denise visits her grandmother, a wildlife rehabilitator, and is introduced to the flora and fauna of the swamps, Cajun food, and zydeco music. With her grandmother's help, she rescues a small bird, names it and cares for it, and then learns the difficult lesson of letting it return to the wild. Meticulous paintings of the area's wildlife and the two protagonists radiate warmth, character, and compassion. Unfortunately, there is no guide to the animals depicted. A quiet, lovely, and educational book about a fascinating part of the country that should have wide appeal.
Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881064157
• ISBN-13: 978-0881064155
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,294,406 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Virginia Kroll is the author of over fifty books for children and winner of a 2004 Children's choice award. A former elementary school teacher, she lives in New York with her husband and has raised six children of her own.