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At age ten I read a book about a beautiful, multi-coloured, giant bird and a boy named David. They talked together a lot, and they went on adventures. That story stayed with me for fifty years.
So I decided to try to find the book, just to have it in my library and maybe re-read it someday. Thinking it would be out of print, I started searching the internet book sellers (excluding Amazon*) for it.
To my delight, I discovered that
is in the business of finding and publishing modern classic children’s books, from picture books for the very young to books like David and the Phoenix, by Edward Ormondroyd, for older children.
So I bought the book, and I sat down to read it again. I enjoyed it as much now as I did all those years ago. What a treat to read a well-written, gripping narrative that doesn’t talk down to children and gives them challenging ideas to ponder while telling a cracking good story.
David’s adventures with Phoenix are exciting, fairy tale journeys, with the boy riding the back of the huge gorgeous bird. They meet Gryffons (dangerous), a Sea Monster (who guards a pirate treasure), and Fauns (fun), among other creatures, all known well by Phoenix, who calls on them to help him with David’s education.
Resourceful and persistent, David uses all his instincts and abilities to visit Phoenix every day and to help Phoenix escape the over-zealous scientist who wants to capture him or kill him for a trophy. This pursuer adds plenty of threat and conflict to the story to keep the kids reading.
This book is about friendship, trust and loyalty, and, interestingly, about self-reliance along with these qualities. It shows two very unlike characters working and playing together, facing challenges and solving problems by give-and-take and dogged determination.
In the end, the story is about giving up one’s own selfish desires for the good of a friend. What better lesson to learn over the summer vacation?
*The Humane Society of the United States reported that Amazon sells dog fighting magazines on it site and has denied all requests to stop selling them. I refuse to buy anything from a company that promotes cruelty to animals.
