Seabird: A Newbery Honor Award Winner Paperback – April 26, 1978

The Holling Clancy Holling books: Pagoo, Minn of the Mississippi, Paddle to the Sea, and Seabird, were my childhood favorites, especially Seabird,because of my love of the sea, and, because somehow I identified with the main character, Ezra. These books all have a similar format: They have a fictional story, a kind of historical or wildlife novel - very well researched, and appropriate for about third grade or older. They are large books: nine by 12 inches, and,when you open them they have a one page chapter on the left page, and a beautiful, full-size, detailed, water-color painting on the right page. There are also, at least one, and usually several, black and white drawings in the margins of the left page. Some of these marginal illustrations show scenes from the story and others contain technical or scientific information with notes. They are all beautiful and fascinating. I still enjoy rereading them at age 60.For pure artistic quality these might be the best children's books ever written! As illustrated books the are the equal of any I have seen, even including the stunning Rockwell Kent books like North by East. The information contained is also very thorough and interesting, especially to a kid who loves science and technology and history. Even at 70 years old the books don't seem dated.Some of these books have been reprinted in paperback and one reviewer mentioned the the colors didn't look as bright as in the originals. If true, this is very sad, but often the case in reprinted children's classics. It is probably best to by a used hard-cover copy. Make sure it comes with a dust jacket.

It tells a deep message to all ages. Left me with damp eyes...but not from sadness, Just wonderful.Read it to your kids and grand kids.

My 10 and 8 year old boys loved this story. Can't believe I had never read this author before. Story and illustrations are absolutely beautiful!!

The beginning of this book sounded like poetry. The description of the bird and the scenery along with the illustrations were magnificent. The mystical quality of the opening scene grabbed and held your interest. Besides the spellbinding qualities of the wording and pictures, the book was also informative, telling, for example, how the sailors did their work on the oldtime whaling ships and about the islands the ship visited, which took in history and geography. Character and love of family was brought out in the steadfastness and conscientiousness of the protagonist. The story went on through four generations of seamen which kept family continuity.This was such a heartening relief from the repulsive tales of horror or illmannered people that make up many of the children's books today. It was a pleasure to give this quality book to my grandson.Norma King Green

Phenomenal living book for all ages. The ships were our favorite thing to read as a family and it intrigued even my 14 year old.

I got "Seabird" as a gift when I was about 10 years old. I wanted to share it as a gift to a master oil painter who is a friend. The book is well researched by the author. The inter-generational story is compelling. Other books by Holling Clancy Holling are "The Tree in the Trail" and "Paddle to the Sea". Each story is cleverly contrived to sweep in a lot of educational content. Each is profuse with oil paintings and pencil drawings.

I was searching for suitable reading for my 9 year old niece and nephew. They are dutch, and live in Amsterdam. They're a bright and curious pair of twins. So, my choice had to be challenging for them, as well as an enjoyable 'read'.I did some research, and found Holling C. Holling. His writing is perfect. Standard english, rather than slang, which is hard to find these days.I got 'feedback' from the twins, they were enthralled with the stories, and both mentioned the attractive illustrations, as being a big plus.I would highly recommend this book!

Delivery as scheduled. Book condition good, some edge & spine damage. Book/content wonderful, highly recomended.