What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fourth Adventures of Thelma Thistle and Her Friends: The Birthday Book
Thelma and her friends watch wide-eyed as the Molly, the little girl next door has a birthday party. Thelma wants a birthday party, but Mother said thistles do not have birthday parties, only people have birthday parties. Thelma is heartbroken.
Thelma's friends, who love her very much, decide they will give Thelma a birthday party. But what does a Bunny, a beetle, a crow, a mouse and a raccoon know about putting on a birthday party.
Read how the friends evaluate the challenge, organize and rise to the challenge through problem solving and teamwork.
Thelma's friends, who love her very much, decide they will give Thelma a birthday party. But what does a Bunny, a beetle, a crow, a mouse and a raccoon know about putting on a birthday party.
Read how the friends evaluate the challenge, organize and rise to the challenge through problem solving and teamwork.
56 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2017
About the author
Joyce Burton Crawford
11 books57 followersJOYCE BURTON CRAWFORD is a spiritually attuned storyteller whose work explores the sacred in everyday life.
Her historical fiction blends emotional authenticity, cultural heritage, and mythic symbolism to illuminate healing across generations.
She writes with humility, reverence, and a deep commitment to honor both story and reader.
In addition to being a dedicated storyteller, Joyce Crawford has received significant recognition for her work in the Christian historical fiction genre. Three of her books have been nominated for prestigious awards, showcasing her talent and dedication to her craft.
Notably, Joyce has been honored with the nomination of the Outstanding Creator Award, a testament to her exceptional contributions to literature. Her book, 'Jamestown,' has garnered a glowing review from Publishers Weekly, further cementing her reputation as a compelling and masterful writer."
Her historical fiction blends emotional authenticity, cultural heritage, and mythic symbolism to illuminate healing across generations.
She writes with humility, reverence, and a deep commitment to honor both story and reader.
In addition to being a dedicated storyteller, Joyce Crawford has received significant recognition for her work in the Christian historical fiction genre. Three of her books have been nominated for prestigious awards, showcasing her talent and dedication to her craft.
Notably, Joyce has been honored with the nomination of the Outstanding Creator Award, a testament to her exceptional contributions to literature. Her book, 'Jamestown,' has garnered a glowing review from Publishers Weekly, further cementing her reputation as a compelling and masterful writer."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 5, 2020
I got all four of the Thelma Thistle adventure series for my daughter and we love reading them together. What I like about Thelma’s character as a parent is that, she is not perfect and that provides tons of opportunity for me to teach my child. It was what I gathered from the first book that prompted me to get the rest of it.
In the second adventure, Thelma met Cory Crow and she did not like him. She found him to be a know-it-all and she wasn’t very friendly with him, unlike her other friends.
In the third adventure, Thelma realized how badly she treated Cory and made up for it. Together with some new friends, they played in the muddy puddles and delighted in the lightning bugs, the bats, and little spider eyes.
The highlight of the fourth adventure is the teamwork that Thelma’s friends put forth just to have her experience the birthday party that she wanted very much. Thelma was so surprised and happy that any sadness she previously felt was complete gone and was replaced by pure joy.
My daughter and I recommend this highly.
In the second adventure, Thelma met Cory Crow and she did not like him. She found him to be a know-it-all and she wasn’t very friendly with him, unlike her other friends.
In the third adventure, Thelma realized how badly she treated Cory and made up for it. Together with some new friends, they played in the muddy puddles and delighted in the lightning bugs, the bats, and little spider eyes.
The highlight of the fourth adventure is the teamwork that Thelma’s friends put forth just to have her experience the birthday party that she wanted very much. Thelma was so surprised and happy that any sadness she previously felt was complete gone and was replaced by pure joy.
My daughter and I recommend this highly.
October 5, 2020
This was the first book I bought, The Fourth Adventures of Thelma Thistle and Her Friends before I discovered it was a series. I particularly liked this one so I bought the first, second, and third adventures as well.
One of the best things about having long-time friends like Bunny is that you have someone you can tell them your deepest feelings, and feel relieved about it. It is bad to have feelings bottled up, as they make you continue to have the bad feelings for too long a time. Because you know that person can be trusted, you can be totally honest and trust that the information you share will be handled with care. Thelma told Bunny how she never had a birthday party and how she wants for herself as it has been 6 months since she sprouted.
Bunny responded with support for her friend by watching Molly’s birthday party happening across the fence. More than that, Bunny and the rest of their friends put together a birthday party that Thelma will always remember.
Pure adventure that leaves children with the warmest of feelings and most substantial of learnings.
One of the best things about having long-time friends like Bunny is that you have someone you can tell them your deepest feelings, and feel relieved about it. It is bad to have feelings bottled up, as they make you continue to have the bad feelings for too long a time. Because you know that person can be trusted, you can be totally honest and trust that the information you share will be handled with care. Thelma told Bunny how she never had a birthday party and how she wants for herself as it has been 6 months since she sprouted.
Bunny responded with support for her friend by watching Molly’s birthday party happening across the fence. More than that, Bunny and the rest of their friends put together a birthday party that Thelma will always remember.
Pure adventure that leaves children with the warmest of feelings and most substantial of learnings.
October 3, 2020
The Fourth Adventures of Thelma Thistle and Her Friends perked up my day! I was searching for a birthday gift for my godchild who was turning 9 years old when I chanced upon it. The cover was so colorful it immediately caught my eyes. I opened the first page and reading it made me feel all giddy inside. It was like I was brought back to my childhood where everything was lovely and amusing. Thelma is the cutest! I was captivated by the creative way it was written. Without further ado, I had it wrapped.
My godchild was so happy when she got it and told me how much she liked Thelma Thistle and all her friends, especially Beetle who was hyperactive and frolicsome. She said it was one of the best gifts she received and will always treasure it.
It’s the kind of booklet both kids and adults will love.
My godchild was so happy when she got it and told me how much she liked Thelma Thistle and all her friends, especially Beetle who was hyperactive and frolicsome. She said it was one of the best gifts she received and will always treasure it.
It’s the kind of booklet both kids and adults will love.
October 5, 2020
I took the liberty of finding more about thistles before introducing the book to my class.
Apparently, thistles are pioneer plants which often grow first in a disturbed area for a specific purpose. Sometimes, viewed as an undesirable weeds however their extensive roots and leaves is what helps prevent soil erosion. They also play a crucial role in the nutrient cycle that allows the soil the food that it needs. Now I understand why the author chose the thistles for this book.
As deep as that may sound though, The Fourth Adventures of Thelma Thistle and Her Friends is still a lot of fun as a book. I can feel through the author’s writing how she is able to see through the eyes of a child. She has successfully entered the highly imaginative world of children, probably drawing from her own cup of bottomless youthfulness, and produced this brilliant book for children that they can definitely relish and relate to.
Apparently, thistles are pioneer plants which often grow first in a disturbed area for a specific purpose. Sometimes, viewed as an undesirable weeds however their extensive roots and leaves is what helps prevent soil erosion. They also play a crucial role in the nutrient cycle that allows the soil the food that it needs. Now I understand why the author chose the thistles for this book.
As deep as that may sound though, The Fourth Adventures of Thelma Thistle and Her Friends is still a lot of fun as a book. I can feel through the author’s writing how she is able to see through the eyes of a child. She has successfully entered the highly imaginative world of children, probably drawing from her own cup of bottomless youthfulness, and produced this brilliant book for children that they can definitely relish and relate to.
October 2, 2020
My children grew with Adventures of Thelma Thistle and Her Friends and we will keep passing it on to the next generation.
In the first three adventures, Thelma’s friends have also increased from Bunny, Beetle, to Cory Crow, Adam Mouse, then Rudy Raccoon and Chippy Bat. In the fourth adventures, Thelma saw a birthday party for the first time from the little girl across the fence.
I remember reading about Molly in the first adventure when her family moved in and Thelma was happy to have new neighbors. Molly was having a birthday party and Thelma was learning about it for the first time. She was so thrilled by it that she wanted one for herself. All thanks to her loyal friends, she got everything she wished for and more!
Joyce Crawford is a natural at writing children’s books and her passion for sharing the wonderful world with them has made her books the most cherished ones.
In the first three adventures, Thelma’s friends have also increased from Bunny, Beetle, to Cory Crow, Adam Mouse, then Rudy Raccoon and Chippy Bat. In the fourth adventures, Thelma saw a birthday party for the first time from the little girl across the fence.
I remember reading about Molly in the first adventure when her family moved in and Thelma was happy to have new neighbors. Molly was having a birthday party and Thelma was learning about it for the first time. She was so thrilled by it that she wanted one for herself. All thanks to her loyal friends, she got everything she wished for and more!
Joyce Crawford is a natural at writing children’s books and her passion for sharing the wonderful world with them has made her books the most cherished ones.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews