Nate's Treasure

The skunk that the family dog defeated in a fight lies near the windbreak through the seasons and turns into a perfect white skeleton, a treasure for Nate to keep and learn from

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- After an odiferous encounter with Bruno, the family dog, a dead skunk is discovered behind the house. Nate's father uses a coal shovel to carry the creature to the edge of the windbreak, where he leaves it as a feast for local animals. Due to the ravages of the passing seasons, a destructive grassfire, and a heavy layer of snow, the skunk decomposes, leaving a delicate white skeleton for discovery by a young explorer. Very carefully, Nate collects the bones, placing them in a leather pouch reserved for special possessions. Most of the time, the pouch is kept hidden in a sock drawer, but on rainy days, Nate spends hours studying his unique find. Spohn's crayoned drawings are framed by white space. A sprinkling of black-ink dots are used to add texture, definition, and depth to the pictures. The quiet tone of the language and the simple illustrations work together to create an appropriate backdrop for this gentle story about the cycles and wonders of nature. Unfortunately, the format is that of an undersized picture book, which seems more appropriate for a younger age group. Because the language is too challenging for beginning readers and the themes are too sophisticated for very young children, this treasure might have trouble finding an audience. --Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.