"I can almost smell the bugs inside," he chirped. He hammered his beak into the spongy wood." He tossed aside a cluster ... "
This endearing book is the latest in the "Tell Me More! Storybook" series,
Pierce is a very young and wannabe independent! His need to leave the nest is resolute because of that need to be on his own - and free. There is a lot he doesn't know, but he is quite sure that he has learned enough by watching his mother to fend for himself. His mother is not so sure. Pierce's determination wins out, and he is off to live his life.
"Pierce puffed out his chest. "I've watched you, Mama.
Find an old tree. Hammer the wood,
Eat the yummy bugs.
I can do it."
"But some bugs are nasty.
They can hurt," called Mama
as Pierce scampered off.
Be careful."
As is well known, the young are naive to the dangers inherent in the natural world, and are not often able to survive without guidance. Pierce runs into trouble with an aggressive skunk, a cantankerous owl, a protective mother raccoon, an equally frightened opossum, and even a swarm of pretty upset bees. His adventurous spirit dashed, Pierce heads toward home, warning each of the animals he has bothered about the bees. When the bees find a new target, Pierce finds a meal. Now, he can return home a success.
Back matter provides a good deal of further information regarding woodpeckers, including a search-and-find game for woodpecker silhouettes hidden throughout the book, the tools a woodpecker has for digging holes in trees, a location map, and much more.
Artwork is full of detail and color, and is sure to hold the attention of those listening to this adventurous tale.
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