Children can be surprisingly insightful and enthusiastic about discussing the big questions of life, if given a chance. ?áJust because this is a short book, with illustrations and with a relatively easy reading level, don't dismiss it as pap. ?áThe idea of the bachelor farmer, who professes misogyny but keeps the orphan boy he finds after a storm, is complex... and then, figuring out why he acts the way he does towards that boy and that boy's adopted orphan bird, is even trickier -- because there is no exact right answer, and your students or children might disagree with you and with each other. ?áWhich is a good thing: children need to learn to think for themselves. ?áOn a slightly more accessible level, you could simply ask the children if they would go to the lengths that John Thomas did to retrieve the bird, and if they would go back home at the end.

Bulla is an under-appreciated author, I think. ?áI'll keep reading his works as I get a chance. ( )

This was an interesting concept for a book about a grumpy young man who is involved in the work of his farm but takes the time to save a child who is swept down the river in a cradle. Every step of the way he tries to stop and block the boy-child from doing anything whether moving, going to town or getting a dog that would hurt him.

Eventually John Thomas finds an injured albino crow and takes it home to nurture it. Again the older man tries to get the boy to release the bird back into the woods where it belongs the boy defies him thus leading to a few troubles down the road.

The story is simple to read and understand so definitely a good choice for a Stepping Stones book. Any child that is starting into chapter books will find the story a good one to follow with the lack of details or length although the message may be a bit loss.

And I loved the presentation of the pictures since although they were black-and-white they were beautifully detailed while adding life to the book. ( )

When John finds a baby floating down a river caused by a flood, he takes the baby in as his son. He finds there are many challenges as a father- his son wanting a dog, running away, and much more. This is an exciting tale of a son and father begining their relationship again. Find out more by reading the book. In my opinion this is one of my favorites. ( )