Rooster's Off to See the World (Paperback)

~ (Author) "One fine morning, a rooster decided that he wanted to travel..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

With his lush, gorgeous collages, Eric Carle hardly needs to write a word to make his picture books appealing. Rooster's Off to See the World, in fact, may have been more successful as a wordless book. Rooster wakes up one morning and decides he wants to travel. Off he goes, picking up companions along the way (two cats, three frogs, four turtles, etc.). When night falls, the critters become cold and lonely and hungry, and, group by group, return home. It seems the message here is, "there's no place like home"; reassuring for toddlers, to be sure, but somehow a bit sad and disappointing, too. This small board-book edition is crowded with Carle's trademark illustrations, stunning in color and form--but also with wordy text and counting graphics in the upper right corner of each spread. The adding and subtracting element is an attractive and clever feature, but ultimately, it's a little too much. This said, children and adults will probably be so mesmerized by Carle's colorful collages, the rest won't matter. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Board book edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Carle's trademark tissue-paper collages dress up a story that packs a lesson about counting up and counting down. Ages 4-8. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Paperback: 22 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (January 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059042565X
• ISBN-13: 978-0590425650
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,938,825 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book but the story is a little sad *sniff*, December 17, 2002

By	DogsDeserveCompassion (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Rooster's Off to See the World (Aladdin Picture Books) (Paperback)

I recently purchased a six pack of Eric Carle books because my six year old loves his illustrations. Included was the story Rooster's Off To See The World. The colorful artwork is visually stunning and captivates both of my children who insisted I read it NOW!

The story tells the tale (with lots of repetitive text) of an ambitious rooster who sets out to see the world. He leaves his cozy home safe behind to embark on his trip. On each page he picks up a few new friends who are also seduced by the temptation to "see the world". Unfortunately, rooster isn't all that bright and he forgets to make plans for basic necessities like food and shelter. So when the sun goes down rooster and his new friends are cold and hungry. They all begin to complain. Soon, rooster's fair weather friends begin to desert him (the turtle's even leave without bothering to say goodbye!). Before long poor defeated rooster is left all alone. A dejected rooster ponders his mistakes, takes a short nap and heads back out to his cozy home without seeing much of the world at all and the book comes to an end.

Both of my kids lingered on each beautiful page instead of rushing along to see what happens next in the story as they usually do. My sensitive four year old said she felt very sad when this story came to its end because Rooster's so-called friends left him alone but my six year old enjoyed it. He particularly enjoyed counting all of roosters new friends who appeared in little boxes in the upper corner of each page and said he'd like to read it again so it's a keeper for my son, anyway. ~ Laurie Shallah

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Counting Book, October 24, 2005

By	Nelda S. Mohr (Stafford, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rooster's Off to See the World (Hardcover)

I used this book for a story time with a rooster theme. It is a counting book that teaches the concept of addition and subtraction. Rooster sets off to see the world. Along the way he meets two cats, three frogs, four turtles, and five fish. Since Rooster has made no plans for food or shelter, as night falls his traveling companions go home. The book is illustrated with Carle's usual large, gorgeous collages. It worked very well with a group of forty preschoolers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that children enjoy., May 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rooster's Off to See the World (Hardcover)

Extremely fun to read with your child before bed. The entire collection of books by Eric Carle provide many hours of stimulation. This book provides a colorful way to teach counting skills to very young children.