Arthur Yorinks

Janitor Al lives in one room on the West Side with his faithful dog, Eddie. He works hard; he and Eddie work together, eat together, watch television together. But Eddie says their one room is a dump; he wants a house. Life is not easy for Al and Eddie.

One day, a bird appears in the window and invites them to be his guest at an island in the sky.

At first, Al and Eddie enjoy the delightful island, populated by birds, filled with lush trees, rolling hills, gorgeous grass. Around them, birds sing. Birds bring them food. Al and Eddie decide that this is ecstasy.

And then one day they realize their eyes are a bit beady, their noses a bit beak-like. Wings and tail feathers began to sprout. Al and Eddie were turning into birds.

What will happen to Al and Eddie now?

=========

The target audience for the book is preschool through third grade, young readers ages four through eight.

Exquisitely detailed illustrations accompany the imaginative, fanciful story in this picture book, winner of the 1987 Caldecott Medal. With a combination of fantasy and reality and a sprinkling of humor, the young reader discovers, like Max in Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” it’s important to appreciate what you have. It can serve as a springboard for discussing values, hard work, and gratitude.

Recommended.… (more)