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کلاغ سفید
داستانی از اواخر قرن هجدهم در ایالات جنوبی آمریکا؛ پسرکی کلاغ سفید مجروحی پیدا میکند. آن را به خانه میبرد تا از آن مراقبت کند.
72 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
1 person is currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Clyde Robert Bulla
104 books101 followersBorn to be a Writer
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 6, 2024
White Bird by Clyde Robert Bulla c 1966
I've always enjoyed books by Clyde Robert Bulla. They are often deeper and more thoughtful that you might think, even though they are generally for beginning readers. I had never heard of this one, but my local library had it, so here's what I thought.
Luke is a young farmer in 1796 in the hills of Tennessee. He lives alone and works very hard to wrest a living from difficult ground. One rainy night the nearby stream floods, and when Luke goes out to see what damage there is, he finds a cradle with a baby inside washed up into the tall canes along the stream. Nobody ever comes looking for the baby, and Luke's neighbors help him learn to take care of the little boy. They want to adopt the boy, but Luke insists on raising the child he has rescued.
As little John Thomas grows, he learns to help Luke around the farm. They both work very hard. The neighbors move away, drawn to an easier living somewhere else. They want to take John Thomas with them, but Luke hides him in the woods so they can't find him. Once, John Thomas sees a raft floating down the stream and a boy on the raft has a puppy. John Thomas wants a puppy too, but Luke refuses. He doesn't want John Thomas to have a pet.
One day, John Thomas finds a white bird in the woods. It has an injured wing. It turns out to be an albino crow and Luke tells him to get rid of it, that he doesn't have time for a pet. Instead, John Thomas hides the crow in the woodshed and nurses it. It makes Luke angry and he tries to get rid of the bird, but John Thomas finds it again. Some men and a boy come by looking for land to buy and the boy steals the bird. Luke tells him to forget about it, but that night John Thomas runs away to follow the men and see if he can get his bird back.
The ending is both sad and encouraging. Sad because (spoiler and trigger alert) the crow dies, but encouraging because John Thomas and Luke both begin to value their relationship.
This would be an easy reader for the elementary age, and a quick, but interesting read for middle grade readers. It would make a good read aloud for younger children as long as they are not triggered by the death of John Thomas' bird. Some children may be more sensitive to that than others.
I've always enjoyed books by Clyde Robert Bulla. They are often deeper and more thoughtful that you might think, even though they are generally for beginning readers. I had never heard of this one, but my local library had it, so here's what I thought.
Luke is a young farmer in 1796 in the hills of Tennessee. He lives alone and works very hard to wrest a living from difficult ground. One rainy night the nearby stream floods, and when Luke goes out to see what damage there is, he finds a cradle with a baby inside washed up into the tall canes along the stream. Nobody ever comes looking for the baby, and Luke's neighbors help him learn to take care of the little boy. They want to adopt the boy, but Luke insists on raising the child he has rescued.
As little John Thomas grows, he learns to help Luke around the farm. They both work very hard. The neighbors move away, drawn to an easier living somewhere else. They want to take John Thomas with them, but Luke hides him in the woods so they can't find him. Once, John Thomas sees a raft floating down the stream and a boy on the raft has a puppy. John Thomas wants a puppy too, but Luke refuses. He doesn't want John Thomas to have a pet.
One day, John Thomas finds a white bird in the woods. It has an injured wing. It turns out to be an albino crow and Luke tells him to get rid of it, that he doesn't have time for a pet. Instead, John Thomas hides the crow in the woodshed and nurses it. It makes Luke angry and he tries to get rid of the bird, but John Thomas finds it again. Some men and a boy come by looking for land to buy and the boy steals the bird. Luke tells him to forget about it, but that night John Thomas runs away to follow the men and see if he can get his bird back.
The ending is both sad and encouraging. Sad because (spoiler and trigger alert) the crow dies, but encouraging because John Thomas and Luke both begin to value their relationship.
This would be an easy reader for the elementary age, and a quick, but interesting read for middle grade readers. It would make a good read aloud for younger children as long as they are not triggered by the death of John Thomas' bird. Some children may be more sensitive to that than others.
March 11, 2016
This is a great book for what it is -- a book for young children. It's very simple, very sparse, yet complicated and moving. I'm very impressed by how smooth and full it is for how short and easy it is.
October 2, 2015
This is seriously the worst children's book ever! It goes from sad to sadder. I would never recommend this as a good book for a child. Whatever message the author was trying to get across was definitely lost!
March 4, 2020
I was surprised by this book. It was rather depressing and ended on a negative note. I would not recommend this for sensitive readers.
August 11, 2023
A good book about a boy who is very loyal to his pet and willing to go to lengths to take care of it. Kind of an odd relationship between John Thomas and his guardian, Luke, a rough man who doesn’t like people. When John Thomas has the opportunity to start fresh w/o Luke, he ultimately goes home, after being convinced he owes Luke gratitude for when Luke saved his life as a baby. Not sure if this is healthy or misplaced loyalty. The story does paint a good picture of differing viewpoints/worldviews and that people can still live and work together when they see the world differently. And that you can treat someone nicely even if they have different (old/outdated/jaded/sullen) ideas about the world. Would be okay for an independent read for 2nd-4th grade.
July 5, 2021
1785 Tennessee—A boy finds an injured, albino crow. When this bird is stolen, he goes outside his known area to find it. This book may give a young reader a glimpse into the time period, however, the only black character in the book is a slave who obeys the orders of a young white girl. “We all got to do what Miss Isabel says.” It is a southern book of its time.
April 26, 2021
It wasn't the ending I was hoping for but it was a small chapter book that my child found interesting so I give it a thumbs up.
February 7, 2022
Nice book for elementary students.
February 19, 2025
Me gustó, sencillo.
January 22, 2026
I loved this book as a kid; it made a very strong impression.
Surprised how many moms have left negative reviews because it's a sad book. God forbid...
Surprised how many moms have left negative reviews because it's a sad book. God forbid...
January 30, 2024
The ending caught me so off guard. 😭
July 3, 2017
This was an interesting concept for a book about a grumpy young man who is involved in the work of his farm but takes the time to save a child who is swept down the river in a cradle. Every step of the way he tries to stop and block the boy-child from doing anything whether moving, going to town or getting a dog that would hurt him.
Eventually John Thomas finds an injured albino crow and takes it home to nurture it. Again the older man tries to get the boy to release the bird back into the woods where it belongs the boy defies him thus leading to a few troubles down the road.
The story is simple to read and understand so definitely a good choice for a Stepping Stones book. Any child that is starting into chapter books will find the story a good one to follow with the lack of details or length although the message may be a bit loss.
And I loved the presentation of the pictures since although they were black-and-white they were beautifully detailed while adding life to the book.
Eventually John Thomas finds an injured albino crow and takes it home to nurture it. Again the older man tries to get the boy to release the bird back into the woods where it belongs the boy defies him thus leading to a few troubles down the road.
The story is simple to read and understand so definitely a good choice for a Stepping Stones book. Any child that is starting into chapter books will find the story a good one to follow with the lack of details or length although the message may be a bit loss.
And I loved the presentation of the pictures since although they were black-and-white they were beautifully detailed while adding life to the book.
Read
June 2, 2008Roger Pope:White Bird-64: A man named Luke found a baby in the river named John Thomas who lived to be curious. One day, when John Thomas was little, he found a white crow with red eyes. Luke didn't approve of keeping it so he told J.T. to let it go. But J.T. didn't let it go, he took care of it and loved it. One day, these guys came along and one of them wanted to have it. So Luke let him have it. J.T. was disapointed when he found out and so he ran away to get it back.When J.T. found them, he said he let it free, so J.T. went searching some more. He found out that someone shot it and he was sad. So he went back to Luke.
Want to read
September 4, 2016I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138341
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14138341
July 7, 2014
I am a big fan of Clyde Robert Bulla. This story is very good for beginning readers. John Thomas lives with Luke and then decides to go and find his bird. You will be surprised at what John Thomas discovers along the way.
May 19, 2015
Notes:
short chapter book
short chapter book
Read
October 14, 2015it was ok
has a really bad ending
bird gets shot
has a really bad ending
bird gets shot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2017
This is a surprisingly deep book, not at all simplistic like many books for younger readers. There is some American history content, but mostly it is about the characters and how people are complex, with different situations bringing out different aspects of personality.
One nit: Leonard Weisgard failed on his illustration of the bird cage. It does not match the description in the text.
One nit: Leonard Weisgard failed on his illustration of the bird cage. It does not match the description in the text.
October 5, 2018
My four year old son listened to me read this in one sitting. I thought it was a little deep
For him to grasp the full meaning (maybe even for me. This book will be in my mind for a while) but he seemed to enjoy the story. Its definitely not a happily ever after kind of kids book. Its pretty heavy but there are so many ideas for discussion that were brought to my mind as I read: Why do we need others? What is a family? What is a community? Is love worth the risk of pain of being hurt?
It reminded me of a Wendell Berry book but for kids. Perfect for kids (or even ESL students) who have a lower reading level but want deeper content rather than “kids books.”
For him to grasp the full meaning (maybe even for me. This book will be in my mind for a while) but he seemed to enjoy the story. Its definitely not a happily ever after kind of kids book. Its pretty heavy but there are so many ideas for discussion that were brought to my mind as I read: Why do we need others? What is a family? What is a community? Is love worth the risk of pain of being hurt?
It reminded me of a Wendell Berry book but for kids. Perfect for kids (or even ESL students) who have a lower reading level but want deeper content rather than “kids books.”
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews