Verdi
by Janell Cannon

List Price: $17.00
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions

or

Compare Prices for Verdi

Book Summary Information

• ISBN13: 9780152010287
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Book Reviews of Verdi

Book Review: OH! TO GROW UP BIG AND GREEN
Summary: 5 Stars

Verdi! This is a great name for a green python, especially one with musical talent who could tap a tune with his tail.

Verdi was a thoughtful little snake. He went off to seek some wisdom from the older snakes.

The first python he spoke to was Umbles and he was a grumbler. Ribbon was a complainer and Aggie didn't like being stared at. They were so boring thought Verdi. After speaking to Dozer he concluded old green pythons were lazy, boring and rude.

He wanted to stay yellow forever, but one day he noticed that he was starting to turn green. Verdi headed to the river, to scrub himself but a big fish almost took him. He got covered in mud and when that dried and fell off he was greener still.

Undaunted, Verdi climbed to the top of a tall tree towards the golden sun which he thought would make him yellow again. He startled a flock of colorful birds (Australian Rainbow Lorikeets) and then fell back to earth.

Verdi hurt himself badly, and the old green pythons had to nurse him back to health. He listened to the snakes tell stories of when they were young and adventurous. Now they preferred the quiet life.

One night when Verdi was well again he listened to the forest come alive with nocturnal activity. Under the light of the full moon Verdi could see the beautiful white CusCus and that wonder of the bird world, the Tawny Frogmouth.

For the first time Verdi noticed the passage of time with the waxing and waning of the moon. Our friend might just be slowing down.

He was now so green he blended perfectly with the leaves. Life has now turned full circle when two young yellow pythons start mocking Verdi for being old and slow.

But Verdi was still Verdi and he showed the young ones how to do a perfect Figure Eight.

Verdi is a magnificent book. The bright luminous illustrations match the breezy and witty story line. This is a great tale on the trials and pitfalls when we slither, swing and occasionally slip and fall along that path from youth to maturity.

At the back of the book there are some "Snake Notes" which gives some useful zoological details on snakes, and pythons in particular.

This book appeals on many levels. It is visually very attractive, the story line is amusing and there is an educational element that will expose young people to the marvels of the snake world and no doubt encourage further interest.

It is refreshing to see snakes portrayed as frolicking fun lovers, rather than the traditional sinister stereotype we normally see.

Children's Books