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Thimbleberry Stories

Name: Thimbleberry Stories
Author: Cynthia Rylant
ISBN: 9780152056452

by Cynthia Rylant, Maggie Kneen

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Overview

Nigel Chipmunk lives in a cozy little cottage on Thimbleberry Lane, and he has wonderful neighbors who are always up for a visit or an adventure. With heartwarming illustrations and old-fashioned charm, this oh-so-gentle storybook is perfect for a snuggly read-aloud and to be shared with the dearest of friends!

Nigel Chipmunk shares a pleasant life with his friends Dipper the hummingbird, Little Owl, Copper the butterfly, Claudius the garter snake, and Mudpuppy the salamander.

Synopsis

A charming storybook by favorite author Cynthia Rylant, now in paperback

Publishers Weekly

Four cozy stories lovingly chronicle the domestic adventures of Nigel Chipmunk and his friends, all of whom live on or around Thimbleberry Lane. Without heavy-handed moralizing, Rylant's (The Blue Hill Meadows) characters, all with their own appealing quirks and idiosyncrasies, accept and enjoy one another's differences. Nigel, an energetic housecleaner, breakfasts on dandelion scones with lavender tea; Copper, a butterfly, wears ornaments on her antennae; Claudius, a lazy garter snake, prefers paper plates to china; and Mudpuppy, a salamander, drinks health tonics. The characters appreciate their diversity. As Dipper, a hummingbird, says: "Oh, I've been living in poppy gardens too long. I've forgotten not all the world is hummingbirds. That is why I moved to Thimbleberry Lane: variety." Kneen's (Milly and Tilly: The Story of a Town Mouse and a Country Mouse) warm, cheerful illustrations complement the text with quaint settings reminiscent of Beatrix Potter's idyllic villages. For each story a different border runs along the top of the page: e.g., knickknacks for "Little Owl Redecorates" and lily pads for "Mudpuppy's Picnic." At times, both stories and pictures border on the cute and sentimental but fortunately, not enough to occlude the overall effect. Ages 5-8. (Apr.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

About the Author, Cynthia Rylant

CYNTHIA RYLANT is the acclaimed author of many beloved books for young people, including the Mr. Putter & Tabby series, the novel Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and the Little Whistle series. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

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Editorials

From the Publisher

"Nigel Chipmunk and his friends . . . accept and enjoy one another's differences."—Publishers Weekly
"Kneen's intricately detailed watercolors will help childrensee Nigel's point when he says that Thimbleberry Lane is 'quite the most beautiful place in the world.'"—Booklist

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Publishers Weekly

"Four cozy stories lovingly chronicle the domestic adventures of Nigel Chipmunk and his friends," said PW. "Warm, cheerful illustrations feature quaint settings reminiscent of Beatrix Potter's idyllic villages." Ages 5-8. (Aug.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

What child wouldn't want to enter the world of Nigel Chipmunk who lives happily on Thimbleberry Lane with his friends? Nigel's adventures with Little Owl, Claudius the garter snake and Copper the butterfly, Mudpuppy the salamander, and Dipper the hummingbird take place in a quiet, gentle neighborhood of cozy homes, beautiful flower gardens, a silvery pond and rolling green fields for picnicking. The creatures all have human characteristics which sometimes lead them into trouble as when Little Owl's fussiness makes it almost impossible for him to be pleased by things. Nigel helps out when Little Owl tries to rearrange his furniture and finally they are both able to share a friendly laugh about his efforts. The quaint world of Nigel includes items which may be unfamiliar to youngsters and require explanation, such as an old Victrola, an antique mahogany sideboard, a backgammon game, a magenta sunbonnet and crystal goblets. There are four stories in the book and they are lovely to read to young children who will enjoy the sense of peace and reassurance to be found in Nigel's neighborhood. 2000, Harcourt Inc., Ages 5 to 8, $15.00. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford—Children's Literature

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-Rylant introduces delightful animal characters living in a small-town environment. Reminiscent of the work of Beatrix Potter and A. A. Milne, the stories imbue the animals with idiosyncratic behavior: Nigel Chipmunk is a homebody, Little Owl is a fussbudget, Copper the butterfly is flamboyant, Claudius the garter snake is indolent, and Mudpuppy the salamander is a perfectionist. Their behavior is very British; readers will find a great deal of tea drinking and tart eating on these pages. The stories themselves are sweet and contain messages on the meaning of friendship. The advanced vocabulary makes them better suited for sharing or storytimes than for beginning readers. Kneen's lovely, detailed soft-pastel illustrations emphasize the rural setting. Each chapter contains one lovely double-page spread and two half or full-page illustrations as well as delicate borders atop pages of solid text. A tasty treat.-Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library, NY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|