Published in 1910 these 16 short animal tales were written for the author's son. A dedicated conservationist from Cape Cod Burgess introduces young children to a rogues' gallery of critters--who learn lessons the hard way. Mother West Wind brings her own children, the merry little breezes, down to play each morning; what they watch the various animal characters do and say provides human children with simple, sometimes humorous advice on moral behavior--without being preachy. Hopefully future generations will appreciate and respect Nature the sooner for having been introduced to these amusing woodland characters with their all-too-human foibles.
The choice of illustrator makes these tales come alive, for they stimulate a childlike imagination in an age when too much is pre-programmed for kids. For early 20th century back-to-Nature tales I also recommend a sweet little book of animal stories called Hedgerow Tales by Enid Blyton.
(June 30, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)