Illustrated by: Roger Devoisin
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Copyright Date: 1950
Number of Pages: 28
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Summary
In this book Petunia finds a book and believes that it will make her wiser. She carries it around with her everywhere and sleeps with it. She believed so firmly that it was making her wiser that she helped other animals with there problems. For example, she told the horse that was having a tooth ache that he simply needed to take out all of his teeth. One day the animals discover a red box and Petunia wisely proclaims that they need to open it. The box was filled with dynamite and it blew up and blew open the book. In the end Petunia looks inside the book and realizes that it is not enough to simply carry wisdom, you have put it in your mind and heart. So from that day on she started reading the books and putting the words into her ind and heart so that she could become wiser.
Personal Response
This book was very cute and fun to read. I loved how clearly the author shows how mistaken Petunia is with her ridiculous ideas to help the animals. The illustrations in this book went along really well with the story. I also really liked how the pictures were simple and yet dignified.
Potential Problems
This book may not be considered appropriate by some parents because of the dynamite at the end. Also, Petunia's suggestions cause harm on the other animals.
Recommended to...
I would recommend this book to children that like when there is a meaning behind the story. This would be a good book to use if a parent or teacher wants to motivate the child to read or work on becoming wiser. This is a motivational book.
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