A collection of autobiographical stories about raising a houseful of children and wild pets including crows, skunks, and raccoons Jean Craighead George deserves to be ranked among the great children's writers of our time. Of her previous books, Julie of the Wolves won a Newbery Medal and My Side of the Mountain is one of the most thrilling and engaging books ever written for kids. The Tarantula in My Purse is a memoir of sorts, telling the tales of the various animals that have passed through George's house, from "The Screech Owl Who Liked Television" to "The Goose and the Duck Who Were Arrested for Disturbing the Peace." Grade 3-6?Transporting tarantulas in a purse may not be the norm elsewhere, but in the George household there's nothing unusual about it at all. A robin in a teacup, an owl in the shower, a bat in the refrigerator...all perfectly ordinary for a family of animal lovers. Noted for her environmental fiction and animal stories, George also shows readers how entertaining real life with wild creatures can be in this delightful autobiographical tale. Continuing a tradition started by her father, the author raised every sort of wild animal right alongside her own children. In a time when "anyone was free to bring home the earth's creatures to nurture and think about," George certainly did. Told in a casual and thoroughly engaging manner, the stories will enchant all animal lovers and even those who aren't. The integration of little-known facts will pique further interest as well. Equally entertaining for adults and children, these brief, amusing vignettes make wonderful read-alouds to share with the whole family.?Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NY Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. ... buoyant and entertaining ... young naturalists ... will happily meander through Ms. George's book, envying her children their wild domestic education. -- The New York Times Book Review, Betsy Hearne