Janitor Al lives in one room on the West Side with his faithful dog, Eddie. He works hard; he and Eddie work together, eat together, watch television together. But Eddie says their one room is a dump; he wants a house. Life is not easy for Al and Eddie.

One day, a bird appears in the window and invites them to be his guest at an island in the sky.

At first, Al and Eddie enjoy the delightful island, populated by birds, filled with lush trees, rolling hills, gorgeous grass. Around them, birds sing. Birds bring them food. Al and Eddie decide that this is ecstasy.

And then one day they realize their eyes are a bit beady, their noses a bit beak-like. Wings and tail feathers began to sprout. Al and Eddie were turning into birds.

What will happen to Al and Eddie now?

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The target audience for the book is preschool through third grade, young readers ages four through eight.

Exquisitely detailed illustrations accompany the imaginative, fanciful story in this picture book, winner of the 1987 Caldecott Medal. With a combination of fantasy and reality and a sprinkling of humor, the young reader discovers, like Max in Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” it’s important to appreciate what you have. It can serve as a springboard for discussing values, hard work, and gratitude.

Recommended. ( )

Greek workbook for learning to read the New Testament in its original language. Answer key.

I was terrified of birds for a while as a child after reading this book. ( )

I really enjoyed this goofy story. ( )

It is easy to want and wish for things you do not have. Al and his dog Eddie are no different. When a bird enters the couple's liives offering a break from daily hard-work and responsibilities, Al and Eddie jump at the opportunity. While Al is a bit hesitant at first, he soon gets use to the leisurely lifestyle. Their new lives seem like paradise, but they soon learn the grass is not always greener.
I did find the book to have a good message. However, I found the lesson to be a bit strange and underdeveloped. I would imagine children to have amany unansered questions after listening to or reading this book. ( )