Taiko on a Windy Night [Hardcover]

Sally Derby (Author), Kate Kiesler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Join this prowling cat as he explores his neighborhood at night.

"The wind cried adventure,
the moon shone mystery."

"Come back soon," the girl calls as Taiko rushes over the fence and down the sidewalk. His eyes shine with excitement. His ears twitch with anticipation. New smells. New experiences. He hears the girl calling him to come back. Not yet. It's too soon. He ambles along after an old raccoon, when suddenly he's stopped by a growling dog.

Again, the girl steps out into the windy night and calls for Taiko. Now, with a mrrow, of welcome he comes out of hiding and into her arms. Inside, Taiko curls up on the sleeping girl's bed and purrs himself to sleep.

Sally Derby's poetic text and Kate Kiesler's luminous illustrations capture both the wild mystery of night and the safety and comfort of home.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-A young girl opens her door and lets her cat out to wander the neighborhood at night, and readers follow Taiko as he pounces on leaves, climbs a tree, encounters various creatures, and chases a field mouse. The vivid pastel illustrations beautifully express this dark, windy night. The shadows, the full moon, and the muted lights in the windows of houses help to create the nighttime mood. Readers will be able to feel the wind blowing as they turn the pages and experience the feline's enjoyment of his freedom.

Karen Scott, Valley Intermediate School, Pelham, AL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 6-8. "The wind cried adventure. The Moon shone mystery." How could a cat--or anyone--resist that siren call? One late night, little Taiko scampers away from the porch lights into the deceptively quiet darkness: to walk a fence, play with windblown leaves and pieces of paper, visit the beagle next door, hiss at a strange dog, then, finally, sit and wash himself beneath a bush until his young keeper comes to fetch him back inside. The moon riding high overhead gives Kiesler's deserted suburban setting plenty of deep, tantalizing shadows, and Derby's poetic text sets just the right tone for this atmospheric nighttime excursion. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (May 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080506401X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805064018
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've always lived in Ohio, and my life was pretty quiet until I had my first son. Things became a little noisier with a baby around, and when he was followed by four younger brothers and then a sister, the house became noisier still. Just when I was thinking that life was about to settle down, two foster sons joined us, and later, three foster daughters. They are all grown now, so the house is quiet usually -- until the grandchildren, and now a great-grandchild too, come visit! I figure that after 55 years of marriage and all those children, I have enough story ideas to keep me busy for the rest of my life. I love to hear from readers who like my books. Have fun reading!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pretty good, but rate it PG?, July 26, 2001

By 

Benjamin K. Potter "loyal reader/writer" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taiko on a Windy Night (Hardcover)

This book answers the child's question, "Where does kitty go when we let him out at night?" The book is illustrated wonderfully in dark colors, and the text is appropriate to those illustrations.

My only concern is that the book might be a little scary for younger readers or listeners. Taiko, the cat, goes on some rather realistic adventures, including staring down a strange dog and dodging a car on the street. You won't want a young child worrying excessively about the family pet, so be sure and read over it yourself beforehand. It's a great read for the right audience otherwise.