A Practical Present for Philippa Pheasant

by Briony May Smith, Briony May Smith (Illustrator)

Overview

A plucky pheasant is determined to make her forest home safer for all in this charming story for budding community activists.

Philippa Pheasant lives in the woods near a village, and every afternoon she crosses Old Oak Road to peck at the delicious blackberries that grow on the other side. But every afternoon some vehicle whizzes past and nearly knocks her flat as a pancake. Philippa has had enough! Hedgehog suggests she write a letter to the mayor, and as Philippa waits for a response, she spots something interesting: a lady in a yellow uniform standing in the middle of the road. And all the cars are stopping! Inspired, Philippa sets out to make herself a bright outfit, complete with a sign, to become Old Oak Road’s very own crossing guard. Can she help all her critter friends safely find their way? Enchanting bucolic artwork enhances this sweet tale of changing the world for the better, one little crossing at a time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536228489
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	08/22/2023
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	656,364
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Briony May Smith grew up in Sandhurst in Berkshire, England, playing with her younger brother and sister. She is the illustrator of many books, including Stardust by Jeanne Willis and Tooth Fairy in Training by Michelle Robinson. Her work is inspired by fairy tales, folklore, and life in the country. Briony May Smith lives in Devon, England.

Editorial Reviews

The story’s pace is steady­, never rushed, but always gives kids time to explore the details within the illustrations. . . With a pleasing story and engaging illustrations, this picture book is a pleasure to read aloud.
—Booklist

This will appeal to audiences that want the feeling of a quaint English fairy tale. . . .Traditional storytelling taken off the beaten path.
—Kirkus Reviews

Philippa Pheasant demonstrates the “power of one” to a small community in this heartwarming story. . . will endear readers as they learn that anyone, regardless of age, can be a part of the solution when confronting community needs. This is the perfect choice to begin a classroom discussion on citizenship and community activism.
—School Library Connection

Smith’s appealing and uplifting story shows how one individual, even a small one, can make a difference. . . the mixed-media illustrations in mainly browns and greens depict an idyllic countryside setting. The skillful variation of spot art, full-page illustrations, and spreads helps build excitement.
—The Horn Book

From the Publisher

2023-05-09
A bird protects her community.

Philippa Pheasant, a nut-brown little bird who lives near a bustling village, regularly crosses the road running through her forest home to eat blackberries on the other side. After she and her friends have one too many close calls with speeding cars, she notices a crossing guard in town and decides to take on that role for herself, crafting a little outfit and ushering wildlife across the thoroughfare. The mayor feels upstaged by the attention the bird’s curious practice receives from the townsfolk, but when his fluffy cat, Darling Treasure, goes for a wander, gets lost, and benefits from Philippa’s expertise, he gives the pheasant his official support and commissions a black-and-white painted crosswalk. Lengthy and rambling, this would be a somewhat tiring read-aloud, though the subtle effect of slant rhymes throughout adds some sparkle to the text. Old-fashioned illustrations showing a quaint town with diverse inhabitants (the mayor is light-skinned) and appealing little animals duly provide a visual component to the text. This will strike a chord with audiences that want the feeling of a quaint English fairy tale. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Traditional storytelling taken off the beaten path. (Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews