Little Bo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea - Hardcover

Andrews Edwards, Julie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786805145 ISBN 13: 9780786805143

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children, 1900

Synopsis

After nearly escaping death, a spunky, curious little kitten, Bo, finds herself at the beginning of an adventurous new life with her new master, offering a peek at the world from an innocent, childlike perspective. 75,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

Julie Andrews Edwards is probably best known for her stunning role in The Sound of Music, but the truth is, she's been thrilling readers since 1971 with her splendid children's books Mandy and The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. Edwards wrote her first children's book for her daughter when she lost a bet--for which the book was the payoff. Now, nearly 30 years later, we're delighted that Edwards has put pen to paper again with Little Bo: The Story of Bonnie Boadicea.

This gentle story begins when Sarabande, Mrs. Edge's champion Persian cat, has a litter of kittens. Not, mind you, prize-winning kittens, but kittens born to the proud, handsome alley cat Bounder. Unwelcome, unwanted, the kittens narrowly escape a watery end--and that's where Little Bo's adventures begin. The tiniest, most beautiful kitten of the litter is named by her father for Boadicea, a fearless warrior queen. But Bo isn't feeling too brave or regal when she, separated from her brothers and sisters on a cold winter's night, wails "a long, miserable cry that came from her heart." Happily, her cry is answered by a friendly, warm-hearted young sailor named Billy Bates who falls in love with her wide, violet eyes.

Bo knows better than to leave his side, so she stows away in the captain's cabin and sets sail with him on the Red Betsy where she begins her life as a ship's cat. Her adventures--stormy and dangerous as they are--make for a sweet, suspenseful tale of friendship and loyalty. Illustrator Henry Cole (of Jack's Garden and Livingstone Mouse) infuses life and emotion into Edwards's already thoroughly charming story. (Ages 8 and older, younger for reading aloud) --Karin Snelson

About the Author:

Henry Cole (www.henrycole.net) grew up on a dairy farm outside Purcellville, Virginia. Always interested in art and science, he studied forestry at Virginia Tech. He is a self-taught artist, although his mother was a professional illustrator and gave him many pointers along the way. His education required him to study nature closely, and his observation of such details helped him with his drawing. Henry worked in a number of jobs, including magazine illustration, and for sixteen years taught elementary grade science classes before he became a full-time illustrator. He now has dozens of picture books to his credit, including many he wrote and illustrated.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
• Publication date: 1900
• ISBN 10: 0786805145
• ISBN 13: 9780786805143
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 88
• Illustrator: Cole Henry