Sometimes, Birdy watches her father row people across the dangerous sea, but when the wrinkled old woman asks to be ferried across, Birdy jumps in too. The woman tells Birdy that she has second sight, but Birdy isn't sure she wants this special gift. However, soon she finds that looking twice at things can bring the most unexpected results . . .With an engaging story told in short chapters, and illustrations in black and white and colour on every double-page spread, this short novel is ideal for newly confident readers.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Jill Paton Walsh is a distinguished writer, best-known for her adult novel, Knowledge of Angles, which was shortlisted for the 1994 Booker Prize. Among her many children's titles are The Dolphin Crossing (widely acknowledged as a modern classic); Gaffer Samson's Luck (Winner of the Smarties Prize); The Emperor's Winding Sheet (Winner of the Whitbread Award) and Thomas and the Tinners (Winner of the Smarties Prize).
Grade 1-4-- Birdy's father is a ferryman, and Birdy often rides with him to balance the boat. One day an elderly passenger tells Birdy that she has the second sight, and Birdy finds that if she looks twice at things they often look quite different the second time around. When a ghost family, invisible to all but Birdy, demands a ferry ride, they appear to her to be hideous, frightening creatures at first, but a second look shows them as a handsome, noble family. "We get stuck with how people see us," says the ghostie king, "and some people do have the horrors!" In gratitude, he offers her a gift, but Birdy also sees through a false promise and ends up with treasure enough to change her life. Every page of this story is enhanced with Marks' appropriately aqueous watercolors (full-color alternating with black-and-white) evoking the wind-tossed waves and the gray-green sea. While written in easy chapter-book format with large print, short chapters, and full illustration, the story has the ring of folklore, told in a lyrical, flowing style that is perfect for reading aloud. No source is given, but the familiar themes and arresting phrases are reminiscent of the folktales of the British Isles. Readers will enjoy reading this alone, but it is also possible to ignore the chapter headings and read the entire story aloud to a group so as not to break its misty, evanescent, sea-green spell. --Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy,
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 6.39
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003957336
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780340795248
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780340795248
Quantity: 1 available