Tree of Birds [Hardcover]

Susan Meddaugh (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

After Harry nurses Sally, a green-tufted tropical bird, back to health, he is reluctant to let her fly south with her friends.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Oh, Mom," says Harry, arriving home with a wounded bird in his arms. "Oh my!" responds his mother, in the sort of understatement found--in words and pictures--throughout this delightful book. It is clear that Harry's broken-winged bird, whom he names Sally, is no ordinary sparrow or pigeon. She is, according to the boy's bird book, a Green Tufted Tropical, a species that cannot tolerate cold weather. This concerns Harry, as winter is on its way. But something else arrives first: an enormous flock of Green Tufted Tropicals, anxious to find Sally. Harry tries everything, but he can't get the persistent creatures to leave their perch in a tree outside his window. When the temperature drops and the first snowfall is forecast, the chattering birds turn blue, but Harry comes to their rescue in an unexpected way. Meddaugh strikes just the right balance between the absurd and the credible in this fanciful tale; children will reach for it again and again. Ages 5 - 8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- When Harry meets Sally, an injured bird of doubtful species, he takes her home and nurses her back to health. Sally soon recovers, but Harry is reluctant to part with his "Green Tufted Tropical" despite his mother's warning that Sally "belongs with her friends." "I'm her friend," says Harry. A flock of Sally's feathered friends follow Harry to and from school and congregate outside his window, anxiously awaiting her release. Stubbornly refusing to give Sally up, Harry worries that the others may die if they stay until the first snow, and tries to chase them away. In a twist ending, instead of letting Sally go, Harry has the whole flock of birds winter in his room. The humorously expressive watercolor cartoons are well matched with an easy-to-read text, which should make this slight but charming story a real crowd pleaser. --Ruth Smith, Chicago Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 26, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395531470
• ISBN-13: 978-0395531471
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #493,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Susan Meddaugh was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey. She graduated from Wheaton College, where she studied French literature and fine arts. After working briefly with an advertising agency in New York, she moved to Boston and worked at a publishing company for ten years, first as a designer, then art editor, and finally as art director. While there, she did the illustrations for GOOD STONES (Houghton Mifflin) by Anne Epstein, and then decided to strike out on her own as a freelance illustrator and creator of children's books. Since that time, Susan has written and illustrated many popular books for children. She lives in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too cute, September 25, 2001

By 

Tessa (MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tree of Birds (Paperback)

I use this book in my reading program and it is adorable. The story is sweet with a twist at the end. What makes the book, however, is the pictures. The little birds are so funny. My students, all of them from kindergarten through fifth grade, love this story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun story to read again and again, November 12, 2009

By 

Gwen S. "Grandma Gwen" (IL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tree of Birds (Paperback)

My grandchildren love books and this is a favorite. Cute and original story with very engaging illustrations. You'll love this one!