Synopsis
One, two, three four, it's Ostrich that we're rooting for! Sad little Ostrich just wants to hide his head in the sand. It seems EVERYONE he meets is older, bigger, cleverer, stronger, and faster than he is. Lion is four years old (not three and three quarters); Giraffe can reach high up in the trees; Owl thinks he can add two and two; Elephant lifts loads of logs; and Cheetah whizzes by, leaving the others in the dust. But, thanks to his friends, Ostrich finally realizes that there's something very special about him—and it's the most important quality of all. Lively and humorous drawings capture Ostrich's kindness to all creatures—and give children a sweet, appealing message about what really matters in a person. 8 11/16 X 10 1/2. All in Color
Children's Literature
A sad little Ostrich thinks that everyone is older, bigger, cleverer, stronger or faster than he is. His friend Lion is four years old (not three and three quarters), Giraffe can reach the trees, Owl thinks he can do mathematical calculations, Elephant can lift loads of heavy logs and Cheetah can outrun him by a mile. However, as the animals demonstrate their superiority, they do so at the expense of others. They don't even realize or help the others that they are stepping on, hitting with logs, knocking out of trees and running over. Ostrich manages to catch the koala and the baby birds as they are knocked from the trees and to help the injured monkey, mice and flamingo. Ostrich realizes that there is something very special about himself—he is certainly the kindest of all the animals. A cute book about what is really important in a person. 2001, Gullane Children's Books, $14.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Julie Eick Granchelli