At the Edge of the Forest

by Jonathan London, Barbara Firth (Illustrator)

A boy and his father must decide how to protect the sheep when coyotes make their home near the family's farm.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 2, 1998

About the author

Jonathan London is the author of several celebrated children's books. His commitment to honoring the wonders of the natural world has been lauded by readers and critics alike. He is the author of more than 70 children's books, many of which are about nature. He's also the author of the popular Froggy series. He lives in Graton, California with his wife and two sons.

Reviews

[Beverly]

Sheep-stealing coyotes: to shoot or not to shoot, that is the moral dilemma.

[Cris]

Beautiful illustrations--classic/realistic images that could tell the story on their own.

The story is a rather matter-of-fact suggestion for how humans can live non-destructively with nature--by making reasonable changes.

[Sean Harding]

London Odyssey #96
Father and son see coyotes move in the area and need to protect their livestock, the Yankee answer is of course to shoot first but maybe something might prevent that.
Sure to trigger yokel red necks and make them cranky but for others a positive story.

[Margaret Welwood]

Most of us would not have a problem with a farmer shooting a coyote that’s killing the sheep. But the boy who lives with his dad at the edge of the forest sees the coyote as a beautiful animal. This story by Jonathan London is a multiple win: the boy wins, Dad wins, the coyote wins, and the sheep win. And the author, by reminding us to search for another way when we feel that our backs are to the wall, helps us to be winners as well.

I particularly recommend this book for parents who want to teach their children both to respect adults and to follow their own consciences.

[Susan]

When coyotes roam too close to a sheep farm, a boy helps his father discover that there is more than one way to deal with unwelcome guests.
A good story offering different perspectives on a situation and a lesson in respect and kindness.