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The Adventures of Lightfoot the Deer
A beloved storyteller relates the exciting tale of a courageous animal pursued by a two-legged predator with a deadly weapon. Kids learn valuable lessons about nature and wildlife in this easy-to-read text.
205 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1906
25 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Thornton W. Burgess
820 books205 followersThornton W. (Waldo) Burgess (1874-1965), American author, naturalist and conservationist, wrote popular children's stories including the Old Mother West Wind (1910) series. He would go on to write more than 100 books and thousands of short-stories during his lifetime.
Thornton Burgess loved the beauty of nature and its living creatures so much that he wrote about them for 50 years in books and his newspaper column, "Bedtime Stories". He was sometimes known as the Bedtime Story-Man. By the time he retired, he had written more than 170 books and 15,000 stories for the daily newspaper column.
Born in Sandwich, Massachusetts, Burgess was the son of Caroline F. Haywood and Thornton W. Burgess Sr., a direct descendant of Thomas Burgess, one of the first Sandwich settlers in 1637. Thornton W. Burgess, Sr., died the same year his son was born, and the young Thornton Burgess was brought up by his mother in Sandwich. They both lived in humble circumstances with relatives or paying rent. As a youth, he worked year round in order to earn money. Some of his jobs included tending cows, picking trailing arbutus or berries, shipping water lilies from local ponds, selling candy and trapping muskrats. William C. Chipman, one of his employers, lived on Discovery Hill Road, a wildlife habitat of woodland and wetland. This habitat became the setting of many stories in which Burgess refers to Smiling Pool and the Old Briar Patch.
Graduating from Sandwich High School in 1891, Burgess briefly attended a business college in Boston from 1892 to 1893, living in Somerville, Massachusetts, at that time. But he disliked studying business and wanted to write. He moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he took a job as an editorial assistant at the Phelps Publishing Company. His first stories were written under the pen name W. B. Thornton.
Burgess married Nina Osborne in 1905, but she died only a year later, leaving him to raise their son alone. It is said that he began writing bedtime stories to entertain his young son, Thornton III. Burgess remarried in 1911; his wife Fannie had two children by a previous marriage. The couple later bought a home in Hampden, Massachusetts, in 1925 that became Burgess' permanent residence in 1957. His second wife died in August 1950. Burgess returned frequently to Sandwich, which he always claimed as his birthplace and spiritual home.
In 1960, Burgess published his last book, "Now I Remember, Autobiography of an Amateur Naturalist," depicting memories of his early life in Sandwich, as well as his career highlights. That same year, Burgess, at the age of 86, had published his 15,000th story. He died on June 5, 1965, at the age of 91 in Hampden, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 12, 2020
Author's Dedication:
TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF OUR FOUR-FOOTED FRIENDS IN THE GREEN FOREST WITH THE HOPE THAT THIS LITTLE VOLUME MAY IN SOME DEGREE AID IN THE PROTECTION OF THE INNOCENT AND HELPLESS
Angry hunters with terrible guns roam the Green Forest so Lightfoot The Deer needs to be careful. Sammy Jay tries his best to keep his fellow creatures informed of the movements of men, but a true deer knows he must outwit the hatred of man.
...I don't understand why they want to kill any of us. If they really needed us for food, it would be a different matter, but they don't.
The first book in the Green Forest Series introduces us to Lightfoot and his many friends. Paddy The Beaver, Old Man Coyote, Mr. & Mrs. Quack, and Reddy Fox all make appearances here, but the reader quickly learns they are all afraid of hunters and the evil hunting season.
The very worst things come to an end at last. No matter how bad a thing is, it cannot last forever.
This was not a childhood book for me, but it certainly worked for me as an adult. The reader comes to love the forest and its denizens while learning of good and bad. Lightfoot gets to romance Miss Daintyfoot, too, which will warm any heart.
Book Season = Spring
TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF OUR FOUR-FOOTED FRIENDS IN THE GREEN FOREST WITH THE HOPE THAT THIS LITTLE VOLUME MAY IN SOME DEGREE AID IN THE PROTECTION OF THE INNOCENT AND HELPLESS
Angry hunters with terrible guns roam the Green Forest so Lightfoot The Deer needs to be careful. Sammy Jay tries his best to keep his fellow creatures informed of the movements of men, but a true deer knows he must outwit the hatred of man.
...I don't understand why they want to kill any of us. If they really needed us for food, it would be a different matter, but they don't.
The first book in the Green Forest Series introduces us to Lightfoot and his many friends. Paddy The Beaver, Old Man Coyote, Mr. & Mrs. Quack, and Reddy Fox all make appearances here, but the reader quickly learns they are all afraid of hunters and the evil hunting season.
The very worst things come to an end at last. No matter how bad a thing is, it cannot last forever.
This was not a childhood book for me, but it certainly worked for me as an adult. The reader comes to love the forest and its denizens while learning of good and bad. Lightfoot gets to romance Miss Daintyfoot, too, which will warm any heart.
Book Season = Spring
November 3, 2021
I love Burgess’ stories… but this one ripped on hunters too harshly. He paints all hunters as bloodthirsty and unconcerned with protecting nature and habitats.
It’s just the opposite though. Hunters are an important part of the food chain. We keep populations down when other predators are scarce. When predators are prevalent, less hunting tags are given out and lotteries are done.
Also, hunters do not merely hunt for the thrill of shooting something. The meat is helpful for many families.
It’s just the opposite though. Hunters are an important part of the food chain. We keep populations down when other predators are scarce. When predators are prevalent, less hunting tags are given out and lotteries are done.
Also, hunters do not merely hunt for the thrill of shooting something. The meat is helpful for many families.
August 19, 2025
Although Lightfoot the Deer was supposedly published in 1906, I believe it was actually written in 1906, and published in 1916. Burgess published his first book in 1910 and that book was titled Old Mother West Wind. The quality of the writing here is markedly better than the Bedtime Stories, so clearly he continued to work on Lightfoot while working on other stories.
Burgess was a naturalist, who enjoyed observing nature in its milieu. There are exceptional aspects about this book aside from the incredible illustrations of Harrison Cady. The name of Harrison Cady became synonymous with Burgess due to being the artist that most accurately interpreted Burgess' stories.
In Lightfoot, Burgess explains the velvety down that grows on deer antlers, the purpose of the soft material, and how the antlers get outgrown by the bucks. Also, Lightfoot is hunted by people with guns and Burgess writes how Lightfoot manages to evade dogs and hunters. The story is fascinating with magical illustrations and an informative narrative.
Burgess was a naturalist, who enjoyed observing nature in its milieu. There are exceptional aspects about this book aside from the incredible illustrations of Harrison Cady. The name of Harrison Cady became synonymous with Burgess due to being the artist that most accurately interpreted Burgess' stories.
In Lightfoot, Burgess explains the velvety down that grows on deer antlers, the purpose of the soft material, and how the antlers get outgrown by the bucks. Also, Lightfoot is hunted by people with guns and Burgess writes how Lightfoot manages to evade dogs and hunters. The story is fascinating with magical illustrations and an informative narrative.
May 19, 2019
Het is jachtseizoen, en een jager is vastbesloten Lightfoot te grazen te nemen. Met de hulp van Paddy Beaver en Sammy Jay kan Lightfoot een hele tijd ontsnappen aan de jager, maar als er dan honden komen die zijn spoor ruiken, kan hij geen kant meer op. De enige mogelijkheid is de rivier over te zwemmen, maar door de sterke stroming wordt Lightfoot doodmoe. Hij weet toch de overkant te bereiken, en komt in de achtertuin van een vriendelijke man terecht. Deze merkt direct op wat er gaande is, en leidt Lightfoot naar een schuurtje met hooi, waar hij kan uitrusten, met de deur open, zodat hij zich niet opgesloten voelt. Lightfoot besluit om voor de rest van het jachtseizoen op deze plek te blijven
Als hij terug is in the Green Forest, vangt hij een glimp op van een mooi hertewijfje, maar ze weet hem steeds te ontwijken. Dagenlang zoekt hij haar, zonder succes, maar dan merkt hij dat er een rivaal in het groene woud is. Lightfoot voelt zich kwaad worden en gaat de confrontatie aan. Hij wint het gevecht en zo ook de liefde van het vrouwtje. Alle dieren zijn blij voor het nieuwe paar.
Weer een leuk boekje uit deze serie.
Als hij terug is in the Green Forest, vangt hij een glimp op van een mooi hertewijfje, maar ze weet hem steeds te ontwijken. Dagenlang zoekt hij haar, zonder succes, maar dan merkt hij dat er een rivaal in het groene woud is. Lightfoot voelt zich kwaad worden en gaat de confrontatie aan. Hij wint het gevecht en zo ook de liefde van het vrouwtje. Alle dieren zijn blij voor het nieuwe paar.
Weer een leuk boekje uit deze serie.
May 17, 2025
Thornton Burgess is one of my all time favorite children's authors. I loved the Adventures of... series as a kid and I have enjoyed collecting even more titles as a parent.
My copy of this book is an old Grosset & Dunlap hardback "printed in large, easy-to-read type" likely for children to use as an early reader, but the stories make such great read alouds for preschool through early elementary ages that I tend to read them to my kids in lieu of formal preschool work.
I don't love the way Burgess presents hunters, as we are a family that hunts for food and uses every part of what we kill, but I absolutely adore all the nature appreciation and the naturalist style of observation. My son was riveted by the great fight between Lightfoot and the strange buck who entered his territory.
Every child needs a good dose of Burgess.
My copy of this book is an old Grosset & Dunlap hardback "printed in large, easy-to-read type" likely for children to use as an early reader, but the stories make such great read alouds for preschool through early elementary ages that I tend to read them to my kids in lieu of formal preschool work.
I don't love the way Burgess presents hunters, as we are a family that hunts for food and uses every part of what we kill, but I absolutely adore all the nature appreciation and the naturalist style of observation. My son was riveted by the great fight between Lightfoot and the strange buck who entered his territory.
Every child needs a good dose of Burgess.
February 10, 2021
It was ok. BUT, as someone who lives near the wild... AND is used to people hunting...
September 5, 2017
I loved this book when I was 8--had forgotten it was such an anti-hunting diatribe.
June 13, 2019
Mostly I kind of liked it when Lightfoot got married. And almost all of the chapters were exciting.
November 21, 2020
Mostly it concentrates on the stresses of avoiding hunters (yet distinguishing between those that hunt for food as compared to those who hunt for the fun (aka, cruelty) of it. Ends in romance: How nice! Wanted to reread this story before I gave the book away.
January 15, 2022
Burgess is phenomenal.
November 10, 2023
This is the second of the books my brother sent me that my parents used to read to us when we were little (the first, “The Adventures of Buster Bear, has already been reviewed). This is part of Mr. Burgess’s collection of “Bed Time Stories” of the denizens of the Green Forest, many of whom have their own books; this one was published in 1921.
Lightfoot is a good-lookin’ young deer who is friends with virtually all his animal friends. The majority of the book concerns itself with Lightfoot’s first becoming aware of a Hunter and his Terrible Gun, and then, with his friends (including a somewhat surprising source), avoiding said Hunter. So, the Hunter and his Gun are portrayed as evil and a source of fear, so I would surmise that NRA parents won’t be reading this one to their kids.
The remainder of the book describes Lightfoot’s infatuation with a doe, Miss Daintyfoot, and his dealing with a rival to win her heart. And throughout it all, the support and mutual dependence of all the animals of the Green Forest comes through quite strongly. As with Buster Bear, I give this one 3 stars, with a higher rating from my ten year old self, and, like “The adventures of Buster Bear, I’m gonna read this one to my grandkids
Lightfoot is a good-lookin’ young deer who is friends with virtually all his animal friends. The majority of the book concerns itself with Lightfoot’s first becoming aware of a Hunter and his Terrible Gun, and then, with his friends (including a somewhat surprising source), avoiding said Hunter. So, the Hunter and his Gun are portrayed as evil and a source of fear, so I would surmise that NRA parents won’t be reading this one to their kids.
The remainder of the book describes Lightfoot’s infatuation with a doe, Miss Daintyfoot, and his dealing with a rival to win her heart. And throughout it all, the support and mutual dependence of all the animals of the Green Forest comes through quite strongly. As with Buster Bear, I give this one 3 stars, with a higher rating from my ten year old self, and, like “The adventures of Buster Bear, I’m gonna read this one to my grandkids
August 16, 2020
4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This is probably my second-favourite Burgess book. I just love Lightfoot. He seems much more real than the other animals. It certainly got my emotions high while he was being hunted, and I had to remind myself it was all anthropomorphized!
A Favourite Quote: “‘Isn't it queer how things which seem the very worst possible sometimes turn out to be the very best possible?’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Very, very lovely were the reds and yellows and browns against the dark green of the pines and the spruces and the hemlocks. The Purple Hills were more softly purple than at any other season of the year. It was all very, very beautiful.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Now the hunter had heard Paddy slap the water with his broad tail. Of course. There would have been something very wrong with his ears had he failed to hear it.”
A Favourite Quote: “‘Isn't it queer how things which seem the very worst possible sometimes turn out to be the very best possible?’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Very, very lovely were the reds and yellows and browns against the dark green of the pines and the spruces and the hemlocks. The Purple Hills were more softly purple than at any other season of the year. It was all very, very beautiful.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Now the hunter had heard Paddy slap the water with his broad tail. Of course. There would have been something very wrong with his ears had he failed to hear it.”
December 17, 2019
I remember being so excited for library day when I was little. My school library had this and the others in hardback books. I remember having a hard time sitting in my chair, irritating my teacher with not being able to sit still until she finally announced it was time to go to the school library. We had to wait our turn to go look at books. I remember sitting at my desk feeling my breath catch every time someone would even wonder near that shelf. I even remember where the shelf was at (and this was in the 80's. These books were my sanctuary and I would take my whole allotted time to stand at the shelf pretending I didn't know which one I wanted so the teacher wouldn't send me back to my chair, running my hand along each title. Good memories.
May 4, 2017
The Thornton Burgess series in general is quite an endearing series of children's books, which do a fine job of being readable by young readers and having interesting plots and introducing young people to a variety of animals in a semi-anthropomorphized way. This particular entry, "The Adventures of Lightfoot the Deer" is a fine entry in the series; it does a wonderful job of bringing empathy to the plight of a deer during hunting season, and if it over-romanticizes what happens during mating season, well, it IS a children's book, after all. It's a delightful read for a youngster, or for an older person who is willing to be a child again for the hour or so that it would take to read it.
January 27, 2019
This was the first Burgess book I didn't care for. Lightfoot was a new character. Most of the book was about hunting season from the perspective of the deer which isn't going to be that fun. It kinda reminds me of Charlotte's Web in that it gives human emotions and reactions to animals whereas if you have an agricultural background where an animal's purpose is to be food, you have a different take on the matter.
December 7, 2022
A surprisingly droll diatribe against "frivolous" hunting, but a fun cat and mouse story none-the-less.
I learned the most I ever have about hunting - while having to edit out all the superfluous descriptive verbiage around guns being "terrible" every time the word gun was used as I read aloud to my children.
Not a book I want to keep on my shelf or read again. Hopefully his other books have more charm than the shallow, contradictory sermon of this book.
I learned the most I ever have about hunting - while having to edit out all the superfluous descriptive verbiage around guns being "terrible" every time the word gun was used as I read aloud to my children.
Not a book I want to keep on my shelf or read again. Hopefully his other books have more charm than the shallow, contradictory sermon of this book.
July 29, 2019
It took us awhile to finish this book because life got in the way, but by the end of it my daughter had learned so much about nature and was truly invested in the story. It went from one chapter a night to as many as she puked get out of me by the end of it. We both loved it very much. She was over the moon to find out it wasn’t a library book, but her very own.
November 30, 2017
A lifetime later and still enjoying these little animal tales of my childhood.
September 27, 2018
This was a great read-aloud with my early-elementary-age child. I will be seeking out more from the author, and I'm surprised I'd not come across this series before.
September 28, 2019
I remember reading this as a child, and it was very dear to me. It truly is a sweet story of a deer and its adventures.
December 27, 2022
I found this book to be not nearly as good as his other ones. It lacked his usual levity and mischief, and it was quite prosaic and repetitive.
February 11, 2023
A great book for kids. I reread it before getting rid of it.
December 23, 2014
My 7 (now 8) yr old gave these books a 5. I agree. "His books are awesome' she says.I liked the way morals were told in an entertaining way. I bet my daughter didn't feel she was being moralized at because she wanted to hear the whole book. I've tried others that had a distinct 'moral' or 'value' and she hates it.(Books that go ... is thankful or ... learns to be honest. blah.
Burgess books are interesting entertaining and a good read. Hopefully the little lessons learned by the animals were also learned and put away in the back of my daughter's mind!
But if not, that's ok. A book is meant to entertain and if it did that, that works for me.
They are a little 'old-fashioned' meaning the sun is called: Mr. round red jolly sun, the wind is Old Mother West Wind, a breeze is One of Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes etc. Quaint and not exactly science but endearing nonetheless. But other than that these books are science in story form. The stories are about real life things that frogs or bears or skunks do or could do. Unlike most books with animals as main characters where they learn to ride bikes, win the spelling bee at school etc. Beginning animal lore for young children. Or budding animal lovers.
If you miss any of these from your local library many are also on Gutenberg's free books site.
Personally I think that these should be re-released with new covers and realistic pictures so kids will read them again. After looking up Amazon, it seems they have been re-released in paperback form.
The books themselves:
Lightfoot the Deer: Lightfoot's life as a deer and how hunting season changes his life. Not for those who want their kids to enjoy hunting season.
Morals/Values/lessons: A bad event can bring good with it, hunting for sport (unless it's with a camera) is an unfair practice.
Mother West Wind's Children: The Merry Little Breezes are a curious group. They keep asking Grandfather Frog to tell them stories about why things are the way they are. Grandfather explains to them why Hooty the Owl doesn't come out during the day, why Bobby Coon washes his food, why Striped Chipmunk has pockets in his cheeks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: Cheaters & thieves don't win, don't tell false tales, industry & hard work are rewarded, laugh at self- don't be a cry baby.
The Dear Old Briar Patch: The story of goings-on in the Briar Patch of Peter Rabbit. Mrs. Peter has babies but doesn't tell Peter. Why not?
Bob White: The story of Bob White (aka quail) and his family as they try to keep hidden from their many predators. One day little bob white is shot by a hunter. What will happen to him after his family flies away from the hunter?
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: Cheerfulness, wise planning, keeping secrets, anti-hunting for fun sentiments.
Bobby Coon: Poor Bobby awakes from his winter nap to find his tree being chopped down! He is injured in the fall but taken good care of by Farmer Brown' Boy His trial are not yet over. Bobby must find a new home but that is harder than he thinks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: helping others, not worrying needlessly, losing your temper.
Old Mother West Wind: A group of stories with Mother West Wind or her Little Breezes helping the animals of the Meadow and forest. A couple of 'how the xxx got/ lost zzz' stories also that were quite entertaining.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: vanity, friendship, contentment, helpfulness.
Buster Bear: Buster moves to the Green Woods. This doesn't please the other animals because he takes 'their' fish, and they are frightened of him. But when the animals find out that Farmer Brown's Boy is afraid of Buster, they look at him with new eyes...until they find out the next personality trait Buster shows.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: temper, new friends come to the neighborhood.
Danny Meadow Mouse: Danny gets upset because he has a short tail. He also gets caught by Hooty the Owl, who wants him for dinner.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, anger, envy, kindness, friendship, look before you leap.
Grandfather Frog: He decides it's time for him to see more of the world. A little risk keeps life exciting. He has some exciting adventures before discovering 'there's no place like home'.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, mischieviousness, thoughtlessness, patience.
Old Man Coyote: Something is making a new sound in the Green Meadows/ Green Forest. The animals don't know what it could be. When it is discovered who has moved in, Granny Fox is determined to oust them from HER feeding grounds. Granny is in for a surprise because this stranger isn't easy to fool.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: courage, resisting temptation, good planning
Burgess books are interesting entertaining and a good read. Hopefully the little lessons learned by the animals were also learned and put away in the back of my daughter's mind!
But if not, that's ok. A book is meant to entertain and if it did that, that works for me.
They are a little 'old-fashioned' meaning the sun is called: Mr. round red jolly sun, the wind is Old Mother West Wind, a breeze is One of Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes etc. Quaint and not exactly science but endearing nonetheless. But other than that these books are science in story form. The stories are about real life things that frogs or bears or skunks do or could do. Unlike most books with animals as main characters where they learn to ride bikes, win the spelling bee at school etc. Beginning animal lore for young children. Or budding animal lovers.
If you miss any of these from your local library many are also on Gutenberg's free books site.
Personally I think that these should be re-released with new covers and realistic pictures so kids will read them again. After looking up Amazon, it seems they have been re-released in paperback form.
The books themselves:
Lightfoot the Deer: Lightfoot's life as a deer and how hunting season changes his life. Not for those who want their kids to enjoy hunting season.
Morals/Values/lessons: A bad event can bring good with it, hunting for sport (unless it's with a camera) is an unfair practice.
Mother West Wind's Children: The Merry Little Breezes are a curious group. They keep asking Grandfather Frog to tell them stories about why things are the way they are. Grandfather explains to them why Hooty the Owl doesn't come out during the day, why Bobby Coon washes his food, why Striped Chipmunk has pockets in his cheeks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: Cheaters & thieves don't win, don't tell false tales, industry & hard work are rewarded, laugh at self- don't be a cry baby.
The Dear Old Briar Patch: The story of goings-on in the Briar Patch of Peter Rabbit. Mrs. Peter has babies but doesn't tell Peter. Why not?
Bob White: The story of Bob White (aka quail) and his family as they try to keep hidden from their many predators. One day little bob white is shot by a hunter. What will happen to him after his family flies away from the hunter?
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: Cheerfulness, wise planning, keeping secrets, anti-hunting for fun sentiments.
Bobby Coon: Poor Bobby awakes from his winter nap to find his tree being chopped down! He is injured in the fall but taken good care of by Farmer Brown' Boy His trial are not yet over. Bobby must find a new home but that is harder than he thinks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: helping others, not worrying needlessly, losing your temper.
Old Mother West Wind: A group of stories with Mother West Wind or her Little Breezes helping the animals of the Meadow and forest. A couple of 'how the xxx got/ lost zzz' stories also that were quite entertaining.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: vanity, friendship, contentment, helpfulness.
Buster Bear: Buster moves to the Green Woods. This doesn't please the other animals because he takes 'their' fish, and they are frightened of him. But when the animals find out that Farmer Brown's Boy is afraid of Buster, they look at him with new eyes...until they find out the next personality trait Buster shows.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: temper, new friends come to the neighborhood.
Danny Meadow Mouse: Danny gets upset because he has a short tail. He also gets caught by Hooty the Owl, who wants him for dinner.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, anger, envy, kindness, friendship, look before you leap.
Grandfather Frog: He decides it's time for him to see more of the world. A little risk keeps life exciting. He has some exciting adventures before discovering 'there's no place like home'.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, mischieviousness, thoughtlessness, patience.
Old Man Coyote: Something is making a new sound in the Green Meadows/ Green Forest. The animals don't know what it could be. When it is discovered who has moved in, Granny Fox is determined to oust them from HER feeding grounds. Granny is in for a surprise because this stranger isn't easy to fool.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: courage, resisting temptation, good planning
January 31, 2011
The Burgess Books
This is a phrase that brings a smile to my face as often as I hear it. As a young child, I would lose myself for hours in the simple world of the wood and pond inhabited by Little Joe Otter, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, and terrorized by Farmer Brown's Boy. I can remember the very shelf, even the exact spot in the little library in Felton, CA where these books were kept. I would return practically every week with a new armload to last me until our next trip to the library. Often I would carry out stories that I read several times before, just so I could once again escape into this imaginary world of furry mischief.
I remember these books well in concept, though the specifics of most of the stories elude me. It was easily fifteen years ago when I began reading them and has been over a decade since I last picked up one of Burguess' stories to read it. That being said, this review is being written as a look back.
These stories are very simple and very fun. Of course, they are children's literature, so that's to be expected, but these stories strike me as especially so. Even still, I can remember some fascinating things I gleaned between the their covers.
For one thing, Burgess did a fantastic job of presenting the ideas of persepective and motivation in simplistic terms. For example, "The Adventures of Danny Field Mouse" would cast Old Man Coyote as a vicious, mean creature wishing to prey on Danny and his friends and family. Yet, pick up instead "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" and you'll see that when the story is told with him as the protagonist, those pesky field mice are annoying and useful for little more than a snack. After reading both books, you're no more inclined to think of Old Man Coyote as a villian than you are to think of Danny Field Mouse as a pest that should be exterminated. (Note: This is a generic example. I do not recall if Old Man Coyote plays a role in Danny Field Mouse's story or the other way around, but this concept was presented several times. It made an impression on me.)
The only characters consistantly presented as antagonists were Farmer Brown and his boy. This would be one of the only things that I chalk up as odd, or maybe just a little "off" in these books. Humans and their influence on nature are presented as a negative influence on nature and animals - always. It's interesting to note though that while humans are seen as a negative, humanity is lauded and held up as virtuous. All of the animals take on not only human personalities but characteristics, traits, and mannerisms. From a frog with a monocle and an otter with a handkerchief tied to a stick, to a busy-body Jay and a reclusive owl who desires only to be left alone, humanity and it's traits keep cropping up.
Which would be another thing of value I feel that I saw in the Burgess books. These stories are full of social interaction and personality conflicts, even if they are charicatured more often than not. We see over and over again a working out of peace, if not harmony, between conflicting personalities. It may not always be easy to point out a scripture to reinforce the lesson implied, but social harmony is presented and more often than not, resolution is through reconciliation, forgiveness, or a similar method that is not only laudable, but distinctly Christian in action if not motivation.
All in all, the world created by Thornton W. Burgess is imaginative, innocent, fun, and educational. My reccomendation? Grab a handful from your local library, gather a group of kids as an excuse, and lose yourselves in childhood imaginations as you read aloud the stories that have captivated several generations of young readers with the antics of our furry, albiet elusively human, friends.
(Disclaimers: As I said, it has been over a decade since I actually read one of Burgess' books. As such, there may be a specific example that's a little off in this review or something that I would have noticed as an adult that my childhood memories are missing. Also, all of these books say I read them in 1998. While I'm certain I read several of them that year, I'm sure I read some before and after that date as well.)
This is a phrase that brings a smile to my face as often as I hear it. As a young child, I would lose myself for hours in the simple world of the wood and pond inhabited by Little Joe Otter, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, and terrorized by Farmer Brown's Boy. I can remember the very shelf, even the exact spot in the little library in Felton, CA where these books were kept. I would return practically every week with a new armload to last me until our next trip to the library. Often I would carry out stories that I read several times before, just so I could once again escape into this imaginary world of furry mischief.
I remember these books well in concept, though the specifics of most of the stories elude me. It was easily fifteen years ago when I began reading them and has been over a decade since I last picked up one of Burguess' stories to read it. That being said, this review is being written as a look back.
These stories are very simple and very fun. Of course, they are children's literature, so that's to be expected, but these stories strike me as especially so. Even still, I can remember some fascinating things I gleaned between the their covers.
For one thing, Burgess did a fantastic job of presenting the ideas of persepective and motivation in simplistic terms. For example, "The Adventures of Danny Field Mouse" would cast Old Man Coyote as a vicious, mean creature wishing to prey on Danny and his friends and family. Yet, pick up instead "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" and you'll see that when the story is told with him as the protagonist, those pesky field mice are annoying and useful for little more than a snack. After reading both books, you're no more inclined to think of Old Man Coyote as a villian than you are to think of Danny Field Mouse as a pest that should be exterminated. (Note: This is a generic example. I do not recall if Old Man Coyote plays a role in Danny Field Mouse's story or the other way around, but this concept was presented several times. It made an impression on me.)
The only characters consistantly presented as antagonists were Farmer Brown and his boy. This would be one of the only things that I chalk up as odd, or maybe just a little "off" in these books. Humans and their influence on nature are presented as a negative influence on nature and animals - always. It's interesting to note though that while humans are seen as a negative, humanity is lauded and held up as virtuous. All of the animals take on not only human personalities but characteristics, traits, and mannerisms. From a frog with a monocle and an otter with a handkerchief tied to a stick, to a busy-body Jay and a reclusive owl who desires only to be left alone, humanity and it's traits keep cropping up.
Which would be another thing of value I feel that I saw in the Burgess books. These stories are full of social interaction and personality conflicts, even if they are charicatured more often than not. We see over and over again a working out of peace, if not harmony, between conflicting personalities. It may not always be easy to point out a scripture to reinforce the lesson implied, but social harmony is presented and more often than not, resolution is through reconciliation, forgiveness, or a similar method that is not only laudable, but distinctly Christian in action if not motivation.
All in all, the world created by Thornton W. Burgess is imaginative, innocent, fun, and educational. My reccomendation? Grab a handful from your local library, gather a group of kids as an excuse, and lose yourselves in childhood imaginations as you read aloud the stories that have captivated several generations of young readers with the antics of our furry, albiet elusively human, friends.
(Disclaimers: As I said, it has been over a decade since I actually read one of Burgess' books. As such, there may be a specific example that's a little off in this review or something that I would have noticed as an adult that my childhood memories are missing. Also, all of these books say I read them in 1998. While I'm certain I read several of them that year, I'm sure I read some before and after that date as well.)
February 13, 2017
Bob
This book was a childhood favorite of mine. I never forgot the scene of Lightfoot swimming across the big river while being pursued by hunters shooting at him. This memory has lasted more than 75 years. I would be more than happy to recommend this book for any child 8 to 12 years old. Ruth Flagg
This book was a childhood favorite of mine. I never forgot the scene of Lightfoot swimming across the big river while being pursued by hunters shooting at him. This memory has lasted more than 75 years. I would be more than happy to recommend this book for any child 8 to 12 years old. Ruth Flagg
June 24, 2016
So, Thornton W. Burgess was a big part of my childhood, because I would borrow the books from my grandfather's house (they used to belong to my dad and his siblings when they were young). And they aren't long books...but the older I get, the more I find that reading just a brief chapter or two is all i need for the day. So one of these will now stretch over days, instead of an afternoon.
the books are still wonderful stories for kids. Okay, so in Lightfoot's case, maybe I rolled my eyes a little at how mating season was handled, or some of the hunting. But Burgess' animals still come to life and who can complain about kids reading about nature?
the books are still wonderful stories for kids. Okay, so in Lightfoot's case, maybe I rolled my eyes a little at how mating season was handled, or some of the hunting. But Burgess' animals still come to life and who can complain about kids reading about nature?
January 30, 2015
Burgess takes the child into the mind of the animal and lets them live their life. They feel the anger of someone trying to take what is theirs. They know the struggle to eat when winter lingers.
He does present a biased view of hunters---always unfair and seeking to kill without regard for nature.
With that bias aside, a child could learn to be a deer by reading the book!
He does present a biased view of hunters---always unfair and seeking to kill without regard for nature.
With that bias aside, a child could learn to be a deer by reading the book!
April 28, 2011
I highly recommend all of the books by Thornton Burgess for reading aloud to children. They are as delightful today as when they were written (1920s).
January 20, 2014
So sweet ! The balance of life is well played out in the green forest. You can not think about about a Deer season the same way! My son wanted it to go on.
October 4, 2018
Good book
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