Gooseberry Park, by Cynthia Rylant

(Paperback, 144 pages, first published in 1995)

This "impeccably paced fantasy"* from Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant is a don't-miss classic animal adventure.

Told from the perspective of four animal friends and filled with charming black-and-white illustrations, Gooseberry Park works well both as a read-aloud and as a fun independent book for second through fourth graders.

Stumpy Squirrel has just settled into a new nest in a magnificent pin oak in Gooseberry Park. It’s the perfect spot for her babies to be born! When they arrive healthy and strong, Stumpy’s three good friends—a Labrador retriever, a wise hermit crab, and a bat—are thrilled.

But after a terrible ice storm destroys the pin oak, Stumpy disappears. It takes a special combination of courage, humor, and tenacity for Stumpy’s friends to rescue her babies and bring her home again.

Plus the adventures continue in Gooseberry Park and the Master Plan and the third book in the series, A Kitten in Gooseberry Park.

*starred Publishers Weekly review

Cautions: This book has been vetted by values-aligned Christian schools that partner with Storyglory, but it has not been fully reviewed by Storyglory staff.

Recommended Age: 5-8