Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant brings the peaceful sounds, sights, and characters of the coast vividly to life in the third book of the Lighthouse Family series, in which the family discovers the beauty of the forest. In a lighthouse by the ocean, Seabold, a dog, and Pandora, a cat, live with their three little mice children, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny. One day, Lila and Whistler decide they want to investigate the mysterious forest that stands near their home. What adventures could be waiting between those trees? Brother and sister ask permission to go exploring and discover not only adventure and enchantment but also a new friend! Grade 2-4–This third installment in the series features Pandora, the cat who has been the keeper of the lighthouse for many years; Seabold, a canine sailor; and three mouse orphans, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny. Seabold teaches Whistler and Lila how to use his compass so they can explore the autumn woods. Lila looks for fairy rings, and Whistler looks for bugs. When he misplaces the instrument and the two mice lose their way, they are rescued by a wise eagle. Graphite drawings expand on the nostalgic, quaint tone of the text and capture the charming characters' expressions. This book is similar in mood, voice, and quality to Joanna Hurwitz's "Park Pals Adventure" series (SeaStar). A solid early chapter book that is suitable for most collections. –Debbie Stewart Hoskins, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. In a lighthouse by the ocean, Seabold, a dog, and Pandora, a cat, raise three little mice children, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny. When Whistler and Lila venture into the forest one day, they find mossy logs and a fairy ring of mushrooms, but they lose their way and their compass. Help comes in the surprising form of a gentlemanly eagle that returns their compass, takes them to his treetop nest, and returns them to the lighthouse just in time for lunch. With at least one ink drawing on every double-page spread and two-page illustrations introducing each chapter, the graceful artwork helps define both settings and characters. The details in both the story and the illustrations make the tale more involving and endearing. The little mice are self-reliant, their parents are sensible, and even their natural predator becomes a trusted family friend. The third volume in the Lighthouse Family series, this short chapter book will appeal to children who like their fantasy stories on the cozy side. Carolyn Phelan Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including beloved series Henry and Mudge, Motor Mouse, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Oregon. Preston McDaniels is the illustrator of the Phineas L. MacGuire series and Cynthia Rylant’s Lighthouse Family series. He lives in Aurora, Nebraska, with his wife and two daughters. The Eagle On a cliff far above the blue waters of the ocean there stood a solitary lighthouse, and in this lighthouse lived a family. They were: Pandora, the cat; Seabold, the dog; and Whistler, Lila, and Tiny, three mouse children. This family had not always been together. They once were scattered far and wide, and none had ever guessed they would find one another one day. For many years Pandora had lived all alone at the lighthouse, bearing her loneliness so she might save others by keeping the light burning. Seabold had been a sailor, steering his little boat Adventure across the waters of the world. And the three children—Whistler, Lila, and Tiny—had lived within the walls of an orphanage, until the night they escaped to the sea. But one day Seabold washed ashore in a storm and Pandora found him. Then Pandora and Seabold, in turn, found the children, lost and adrift in the ocean. Thus these wanderers came together, made a home, and thereafter they were the lighthouse family. Now it was fall. The children and Pandora and Seabold had enjoyed a lovely summer. Through the long days the children had collected rose petals and lavender, and now Pandora was kept busy each morning in the kitchen, making rose petal and lavender jellies for the winter table. Used Book in Good Condition