Showing results by author "Thornton W. Burgess" in All Categories

Peter Rabbit has many questions. How did Howler the Wolf get his name? How did Lightfoot the Deer learn to jump? How did Drummer the Woodpecker come by his red cap? When Peter asks Grandfather Frog, Grandfather Frog tells him a story of long ago. This book is a collection of those stories told by Grandfather Frog and many others. - Summary by EstherbenSimonides

The Adventures of Old Man Coyote is another in the long list of children's books by conservationist Thornton W. Burgess. In this book, the residents of The Green Pasture and The Green Forest are concerned about a strange newcomer, Old Man Coyote. Old Many Coyote matches wits with Old Granny Fox and has encounters with Reddy Fox and Peter Rabbit, and a particularly sharp confrontation with Prickly Porky. - Summary by John Lieder

Thornton Burgess gives us a collection of stories about the animals, explaining 'when' they got their peculiar traits. As usual the stories are short and delightfully written so as to be enjoyed by child or adult. Have you ever wondered when Mr. Bluebird got his beautiful coat? or when Bob-White won his name? or Old Mr. Bat got his wings:? well these stories explain how they all happened along with many,many more. - Summary by Phil chenevert

Author and editor of numerous children's books, Thornton W. Burgess was also a noted conservationist. In writing for youngsters he combined a gift for storytelling with his love of the outdoors, creating an entertaining menagerie of animals whose adventures he skillfully recounted in a series of charming fables. In them, he taught young readers about nature and encouraged them to love the "lesser folk in fur and feathers." In this delightfully told tale, Burgess chronicles the escapades of Chatterer the Red Squirrel, who's known throughout the Green Forest as a mischief maker. Narrowly ...

When Paddy the Beaver moves into the Green Forest and wants to build his home, he never quite expected it would cause so much commotion! Being a focal point of attention, the forest animals watch him carefully and scrutinized his work, make fun of and question his building project, someone screams at him saying unkind things, and one forest animal sets his sights on hunting him to have him for lunch! That's an awful lot for a little beaver to overcome - do you think he can do it? (Summary by Laurie Banza)

Join Peter Rabbit as he embarks on an exciting journey to school, guided by Mother Nature herself! In this delightful zoology book for children, Thornton W. Burgess introduces young readers to the fascinating mammals of North America through engaging storytelling. With a focus on conservation, this book presents rich details without overwhelming scientific jargon, making it perfect for curious minds. Experience the wonders of nature while learning valuable lessons about the environment and our responsibility to protect it. (Summary by Laurie Anne Walden)

Dive into the enchanting world of The Burgess Bird Book for Children, a delightful zoology tale brought to life through the adventures of Peter Rabbit. In this captivating story, Peter teams up with his knowledgeable friend Jenny Wren to explore the fascinating birds of North America. Journey through the vibrant landscapes of the Old Orchard, the lush Green Meadow, and the serene Green Forest, where young readers will encounter a variety of charming feathered friends. Join Peter and Jenny as they discover the wonders of nature and learn valuable lessons about wildlife in a fun and engaging way...

Join Old Granny Fox and her clever grandson Reddy Fox as they embark on a thrilling quest for survival during the harsh winter months. With food scarce in the Green Meadow and Farmer Brown’s hens securely locked away, the duo must rely on their wits and cunning. As Granny introduces Reddy to unexpected tricks for luring in their next meal, they face a series of adventures and dangers, including a tense encounter with Farmer Browns boy, a crafty scheme to pilfer Bowser the Hounds food, and an unexpected thief who might just outsmart them both. Will they succeed in keeping their bellies full? ...

The Adventures of Reddy Fox by Thornton W. Burgess follows the mischievous and cunning young fox, Reddy, as he learns important life lessons in the Green Forest. Raised by Granny Fox, he is clever but often reckless, leading him into trouble with Farmer Brown’s Boy, Bowser the Hound, and other woodland creatures. Through a series of adventures—escaping traps, outsmarting enemies, and learning humility—Reddy matures into a wiser fox. The story emphasizes themes of survival, kindness, and respecting nature, teaching children about the balance of the wild while entertaining them with Reddy...

The Adventures of Paddy the Beaver is a sweet story about a smart beaver named Paddy. Paddy comes to the Green Forest looking for a new home. He works hard and uses his sharp teeth and strong tail to build a big dam in the water. Soon, a quiet stream becomes a beautiful pond. Other animals watch Paddy and learn how clever he is. Some are surprised, but many are happy because the pond helps everyone. Through Paddy’s adventure, children learn about teamwork, patience, and caring for nature. The story shows that even small animals can do great things when they work hard and believe in ...

Farmer Brown's boy, Little Joe Otter, and the residents of the Green Forest have to adjust when a new animal, Buster Bear, comes to live there. Is he a fearsome beast or a friendly neighbor? An enemy or a local hero? In this collection of stories, everyone struggles to understand the ways of this unexpected newcomer, as he comes to find his place among them.

“Listen,” whispered Jimmy Skunk to Peter Rabbit as the strange howling sound echoed through the Green Forest. But Peter was listening. He had never heard anything like it. The sound made cold chills run up and down his backbone. What could it be?

When Mr. and Mrs. Bob White come down from the Old Pasture to live beside Peter Rabbit in the Briar Patch, they attract the unwanted attention of some of the predators, like Old Reddy Fox. Through care and cunning, the Bob Whites raise their family of fifteen baby quail and prove to be very welcome neighbors indeed to Farmer Brown and his son.

Peter Rabbit and Jimmy Skunk are two of the biggest pranksters in the Green Forest. But when Peter Rabbit plays a prank that goes awry, everyone gets a lesson in why Jimmy Skunk is better left alone! As Peter Rabbit, Reddy Fox and Unc' Billy Possum all learn, Jimmy Skunk can be a temperamental beast, and one can get into a good bit of trouble by crossing him.Children will delight in these warm, whimsical adventures that combine all the interest and excitement of a good story with gentle lessons about nature, wildlife and such virtues as courtesy, kindness, and preparedness.

Old Mister Toad is in a hurry! But why? Nobody knows, so all the animals set off looking for him and find him singing in the pond. Peter Rabbit never knew Old Mr. Toad could sing! Quickly, all the animals learn why they should heed his song, and in time, Peter Rabbit learns many, many things that he didn't know about Old Mr. Toad and his children. But Mr. Toad has things of his own to learn, too, and dangers to watch out for!

Mother Bear has a secret! In fact, she has two of them. They're her brand new cubs — Boxer and Woof-Woof. The arrival of the Green Forest's newest inhabitants has Peter Rabbit, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, Prickly Porky, Hooty the Owl, and other forest creatures all astir over the goings-on in the Bear household. Young listener, too, can share the excitement as they learn how the twins get even with Peter Rabbit, find out what happens when the bears meet their father, discover why Mother Bear has to rescue her cubs, learn why Boxer gets a spanking, and much more.

Thornton W. Burgess was a bird-watching, berry-picking student of nature, who took up writing children's stores including those collected in "Old Mother West Wind 'Where' Stories" (1918). He writes about talking animals, but his characters remain true to their real-life counterparts. Each story explains how Old Mother Nature gives special attention to each creature's needs -- where Grandfather Frog got his big mouth, for example, and where Mr. Quack the duck got his webbed feet.

Happy Jack Squirrel fills his days with fun and foolishness — even while jealously guarding his winter supply of hickory nuts from his mischief-making cousin, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, and playful Striped Chipmunk. But the bouncing, bushy-tailed creature's days of comfort and security are threatened when he wakes one morning to find his worst dream come true: Shadow the Weasel is close by, and Happy Jack finds himself running for his life, trying every trick he knows to get away from his enemy.

A plump little meadow mouse is always an inviting target for hungry hunters in the Green Meadows. This certainly should give Danny Meadow Mouse enough cause for concern; but lately, he's been worrying about something else — his short tail! In fact, he wants so much to have a different tail that he almost forgets to take care of the one he has.

Tuktu and her brother, Aklak, are Eskimo children who live happily with their beloved reindeer in the Northland. When Tuktu is lost in a fog, she meets Santa Claus or the Good Spirit as she knows him. This generous little girl wants to share her reindeer with the children of the world and so works to help Santa on his annual Christmas journey.