Books with author W. Thornton Burgess

Of all the joyous sounds of all the year there is none more loved by Peter Rabbit, and the rest of us for that matter, than the soft whistle of Winsome Bluebird in the spring. The first time Peter hears it he always jumps up in the air, kicks his long heels together, and does a funny little dance of pure joy, for he knows that Winsome Bluebird is the herald of sweet Mistress Spring, and that she is not far behind him. It is the end of the shivery, sad time and the beginning of the happy, glad time, and Peter rejoices when he hears that sweet, soft voice which is sometimes so hard to locate, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere.

When little Reddy Fox gets too big for his breeches and steals a plump pet hen in broad daylight, the stage is set for an exciting tale as Farmer Brown's boy pursues Reddy with loaded gun and Bowser the Hound. Fortunately, Reddy has wise Granny Fox on his side and, with some timely help from other woodland friends, manages to avoid an unhappy ending.As this timeless fable unfolds, children will delight in Reddy's risky antics and the commotion his behavior causes among Johnny Chuck, Drummer the Woodpecker, Peter Rabbit, and the other inhabitants of the Green Forest. Thornton W. Burgess, author of Old Mother West Wind and many other children's classics, was a master at telling a good story that holds a child's attention while instilling an important lesson in the most painless and enjoyable fashion. First published in 1913, The Adventures of Reddy Fox was one of his finest efforts. In this inexpensive Dover edition, newly reset in large, easy-to-read type, it will delight children (and adults) today, just as it did their grandparents.

Naturalist and author Thornton W. Burgess uses his considerable storytelling abilities to bring to life this delightful introduction to zoology for young readers. Peter Rabbit is curious. He wants to know everything there is to know about the other animals in the forest. He pesters Old Mother Nature with so many questions that she agrees to hold a special school for all the animals so they can learn about each other. Infusing the book with his passion for conservation, Burgess has created an ideal medium to expose children to the wonder of the natural world.

Peter Rabbit sat on the edge of the dear Old Briar-patch, staring up into the sky with his head tipped back until it made his neck ache. Way, way up in the sky was a black speck sailing across the snowy white face of a cloud. It didn't seem possible that it could be alive way up there. But it was. Peter knew that it was, and he knew who it was. It was King Eagle. By and by it disappeared over towards the Great Mountain. Peter rubbed the back of his neck, which ached because he had tipped his head back so long. Then he gave a little sigh. "I wonder what it seems like to be able to fly like that," said he out loud, a way he sometimes has. "Are you envious?" asked a voice so close to him that Peter jumped. There was Sammy Jay sitting in a little tree just over his head.

Children will love this wonderful tale of Blacky the Crow, who has very sharp eyes, and who is often getting into trouble because he sees things he shouldn't. One day Blacky notices two fresh eggs in a nest belonging to Hooty the Owl and Mrs. Hooty. The eggs are a prize too delicious to pass up and Blacky devises a plan to snatch them. But does he succeed? Young readers will enjoy finding out in this charming tale by master storyteller Thornton W. Burgess.Reset in large, easy-to-read type, this book is filled with gentle humor and important lessons about nature and wildlife, and is further enhanced by four original Harrison Cady illustrations. Blacky the Crow is sure to captivate youngsters discovering the joy of reading and the pleasures of storytelling at its finest.

Even in the peaceful, sun-splashed world of the Green Forest, the Laughing Brook, and the Smiling Pool, trouble sometimes makes an appearance and disturbs the lives of the animals living there. And so it is in this charming story about Jerry Muskrat and his friends Little Joe Otter, Spotty the Turtle, Grandfather Frog, and Billy Mink. First, Farmer Brown's boy has set nasty traps all around the Smiling Pool and that spells trouble for Jerry and the other creatures who live in and around the Pool. Wise old Grandfather Frog must think long and hard to come up with a solution for that problem. Then, suddenly, the water in the Laughing Brook stops flowing and before long, the Smiling Pool drops to alarming levels. Something must be done, but what? Children will love finding out as they read or listen to this classic Thornton W. Burgess fable, which combines the fun of a good story with important lessons about kindness, stick-to-itiveness, cooperation, and other virtues. Six full-page illustrations, based on originals by Harrison Cady, enhance the text, newly reset in large, easy-to-read type.

- Quality Digital Text- Beautiful Original Color Print Version Artwork- Linked Table of ContentsExcerpt from the book, Mrs. Peter Rabbit:"'Mischief always waits to greet idle hands and idle feet.' ---Peter Rabbit."That is what a lot of people say about Blacky the Crow. Of course it is true that Blacky does get into a lot of mischief, but if people really knew him they would find that he isn't as black as he looks. In fact, Blacky the Crow does a whole lot of good in his own peculiar way, but people are always looking for him to do bad things, and you know you most always see what you expect to see. Thus the good Blacky does isn't seen, while the bad is, and so he has grown to have a reputation blacker than the coat he wears.But this doesn't worry Blacky the Crow. No, Sir, it doesn't worry him a bit. You see he has grown used to it. And then he is so smart that he is never afraid of being caught when he does do wrong things. No one has sharper eyes than Blacky, and no one knows better how to use them. There is very little going on in the Green Forest or on the Green Meadows that he misses when he is about."This is the second volume in the "Green Meadow Series."ContentsChapter I. - Blacky The Crow Makes A Discovery Chapter II. - Blacky Makes Sure Chapter III. - Blacky Finds Out Who Owns The Eggs Chapter IV. - The Cunning Of Blacky Chapter V. - Blacky Calls His Friends Chapter VI. - Hooty The Owl Doesn't Stay Still Chapter VII. - Blacky Tries Another Plan Chapter VIII. - Hooty Comes To Mrs. Hooty's Aid Chapter IX. - Blacky Thinks Of Farmer Brown's Boy Chapter X. - Farmer Brown's Boy And Hooty Chapter XI. - Farmer Brown's Boy Is Tempted Chapter XII. - A Tree-Top Battle Chapter XIII. - Blacky Has A Change Of Heart Chapter XIV. - Blacky Makes A Call Chapter XV. - Blacky Does A Little Looking About Chapter XVI. - Blacky Finds Other Signs Chapter XVII. - Blacky Watches A Queer Performance Chapter XVIII. - Blacky Becomes Very Suspicious Chapter XIX. - Blacky Makes More Discoveries Chapter XX. - Blacky Drops A Hint Chapter XXI. - At Last Blacky Is Sure Chapter XXII. - Blacky Goes Home Happy Chapter XXIII. - Blacky Calls Farmer Brown's Boy Chapter XXIV. - Farmer Brown's Boy Does Some Thinking Chapter XXV. - Blacky Gets A Dreadful Shock Chapter XXVI. - Why The Hunter Got No Ducks Chapter XXVII. - The Hunter Gives Up Chapter XXVIII. - Blacky Has A Talk With Dusky The Black Duck Chapter XXIX. - Blacky Discovers An Egg Chapter XXX. - Blacky Screws Up His Courage Chapter XXXI. - An Egg That Wouldn't Behave Chapter XXXII. - What Blacky Did With The Stolen Egg

When Buster Bear comes to live in the Green Forest, the amiable bully stirs up quite a commotion, for bears haven't lived in the forest for years. And sure enough, before long Buster has a series of run-ins with Little Joe Otter, Chatterer the Red Squirrel, Farmer Brown's Boy, and even a stubborn metal pail!These and other entertaining escapades are delightfully recounted in this engaging tale. Set in a timeless world of bubbling brooks, blue skies, and green groves, the story also teaches valuable lessons on the dangers of greed, pride, and insensitivity. The text, printed in large, easy-to-read type, is enhanced by six charming illustrations, based on the originals by Harrison Cady.