What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bedtime Story Books
The Adventures of Old Man Coyote
"Listen," whispered Jimmy Skunk to Peter Rabbit as the strange howling sound echoed through the Green Forest. But Peter was listening. He had never heard anything like it. The sound made cold chills run up and down his backbone. What could it be?
Children will love finding out as Peter Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk, Prickly Porky, Granny Fox, Reddy Fox, and other dwellers in the Green Forest react to a new — and scary — neighbor. All ends happily, of course, in this timeless fable by noted storyteller Thornton W. Burgess.
Reprinted in large, easy-to-read type and enhanced with six new illustrations, based on the Harrison Cady originals, this book combines the fun of a good story with gentle lessons about nature, wildlife, and proper behavior.
Children will love finding out as Peter Rabbit, Jimmy Skunk, Prickly Porky, Granny Fox, Reddy Fox, and other dwellers in the Green Forest react to a new — and scary — neighbor. All ends happily, of course, in this timeless fable by noted storyteller Thornton W. Burgess.
Reprinted in large, easy-to-read type and enhanced with six new illustrations, based on the Harrison Cady originals, this book combines the fun of a good story with gentle lessons about nature, wildlife, and proper behavior.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1916
8 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Thornton W. Burgess
819 books204 followersThornton W. (Waldo) Burgess (1874-1965), American author, naturalist and conservationist, wrote popular children's stories including the Old Mother West Wind (1910) series. He would go on to write more than 100 books and thousands of short-stories during his lifetime.
Thornton Burgess loved the beauty of nature and its living creatures so much that he wrote about them for 50 years in books and his newspaper column, "Bedtime Stories". He was sometimes known as the Bedtime Story-Man. By the time he retired, he had written more than 170 books and 15,000 stories for the daily newspaper column.
Born in Sandwich, Massachusetts, Burgess was the son of Caroline F. Haywood and Thornton W. Burgess Sr., a direct descendant of Thomas Burgess, one of the first Sandwich settlers in 1637. Thornton W. Burgess, Sr., died the same year his son was born, and the young Thornton Burgess was brought up by his mother in Sandwich. They both lived in humble circumstances with relatives or paying rent. As a youth, he worked year round in order to earn money. Some of his jobs included tending cows, picking trailing arbutus or berries, shipping water lilies from local ponds, selling candy and trapping muskrats. William C. Chipman, one of his employers, lived on Discovery Hill Road, a wildlife habitat of woodland and wetland. This habitat became the setting of many stories in which Burgess refers to Smiling Pool and the Old Briar Patch.
Graduating from Sandwich High School in 1891, Burgess briefly attended a business college in Boston from 1892 to 1893, living in Somerville, Massachusetts, at that time. But he disliked studying business and wanted to write. He moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he took a job as an editorial assistant at the Phelps Publishing Company. His first stories were written under the pen name W. B. Thornton.
Burgess married Nina Osborne in 1905, but she died only a year later, leaving him to raise their son alone. It is said that he began writing bedtime stories to entertain his young son, Thornton III. Burgess remarried in 1911; his wife Fannie had two children by a previous marriage. The couple later bought a home in Hampden, Massachusetts, in 1925 that became Burgess' permanent residence in 1957. His second wife died in August 1950. Burgess returned frequently to Sandwich, which he always claimed as his birthplace and spiritual home.
In 1960, Burgess published his last book, "Now I Remember, Autobiography of an Amateur Naturalist," depicting memories of his early life in Sandwich, as well as his career highlights. That same year, Burgess, at the age of 86, had published his 15,000th story. He died on June 5, 1965, at the age of 91 in Hampden, Massachusetts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 12, 2023
As the year 2023 starts to wind down, I feel strongly compelled to finish the 19 volume Bedtime Storybook collection written by Thornton W. Burgess with illustrations by Harrison Cady. The Adventures of Old Man Coyote is book #14 from my collection, and is unique because it is the only volume with the villain as the lead character.
Here, Old Man Coyote is only gossiped about for the first third of the book. He is a new resident of the Green Meadow, Green Forest, Smiling Pool area, and Old Man Coyote is only known by reputation, which to be honest, is NOT so great. The story is odd because there's humor when dealing with this not a major threat kind of villain, but I really think this is played too tongue-in-cheek.
One of the great things about Burgess was that he was a conservationist, so even though tis was published in 1916, he gave unvarnished, non-judgmental animal stories with a healthy respect for nature. This story is sanitized to make the coyote seem a little more like Wile E. and even though the animals become a little more respectful, and a lot more afraid of him, the bullying would totally warrant some of the animals to become lunch.
But what do I know, I'm a jaded adult that loves horror. Reddy and Granny Fox should have been toast, but I understand why people should not get their faces eaten off. LOL! Just some silliness. Good book.
Here, Old Man Coyote is only gossiped about for the first third of the book. He is a new resident of the Green Meadow, Green Forest, Smiling Pool area, and Old Man Coyote is only known by reputation, which to be honest, is NOT so great. The story is odd because there's humor when dealing with this not a major threat kind of villain, but I really think this is played too tongue-in-cheek.
One of the great things about Burgess was that he was a conservationist, so even though tis was published in 1916, he gave unvarnished, non-judgmental animal stories with a healthy respect for nature. This story is sanitized to make the coyote seem a little more like Wile E. and even though the animals become a little more respectful, and a lot more afraid of him, the bullying would totally warrant some of the animals to become lunch.
But what do I know, I'm a jaded adult that loves horror. Reddy and Granny Fox should have been toast, but I understand why people should not get their faces eaten off. LOL! Just some silliness. Good book.
January 1, 2023
Love the Thornton Burgess books. Caleb will listen to these on repeat all day if I let him. (Audio on CanonPlus)
August 24, 2021
Old Man Coyote got Old Granny Fox good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2017
The Adventures of Old Man Coyote. This story is about how the inhabitants or the animals of the Green Forest and the Green meadows deal with the owner of the strange creepy voice at night. Peter the Rabbit and Jimmy Skunk are aware of it and the former is afraid, while the latter is so, but he does not show it. Reddy Fox is aware of it to and he passes by boasting and bragging about the sound that he is not afraid of it or of anything else. But when they discover that it is a new inhabitant who would live in this land, Reddy Fox is actually worried that this newcomer will compete him with his hunting and will be of no match for him for that newcomer has larger physical features and sharper abilities than his and his Granny Fox. However, the "Sly and the Smart" of the whole Green Forest and the Green Meadows have a plan to force him out of their homeland. Will they succeed in their plot? Or not?
5/5
5/5
August 16, 2020
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I enjoyed this story. It had some great lessons about boasting and true courage, and it was funny and interesting. Definitely recommended for young readers.
A Favourite Quote: “The bravest boy is not the one / Who does some mighty deed; / Who risks his very life perchance / To serve another’s need. / The bravest boy is he who dares / To face the scornful laugh / For doing what he knows is right, / Though others mock and chaff.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “...he didn’t have to look up to know who was there. It was Sammy Jay, of course. Sammy is always on hand when he isn’t wanted[.]”
A Favourite Quote: “The bravest boy is not the one / Who does some mighty deed; / Who risks his very life perchance / To serve another’s need. / The bravest boy is he who dares / To face the scornful laugh / For doing what he knows is right, / Though others mock and chaff.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “...he didn’t have to look up to know who was there. It was Sammy Jay, of course. Sammy is always on hand when he isn’t wanted[.]”
September 15, 2020
Re-organizing book shelves turned up this little treasure. I couldn't remember having read it so gave it a quick read, and much to my delight, found it well worth it. Burgess's little tale is set among the critters of the Green Meadows and Green Forest but really translates into daily life lessons for all of us with its anthropomorphic witticims. Uncanny insight into how enemies operate (dishonestly with lies, instead of fighting honestly) eerily echoes today's political climate with its fake news and "anonymous sources" for rumors that are never corroborated in fact. Definitely recommended for kids and adults.
March 3, 2017
The Thornton Burgess series in general is quite an endearing series of children's books, which do a fine job of being readable by young readers and having interesting plots and introducing young people to a variety of animals in a semi-anthropomorphized way. This particular entry, "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" is one of the best of the lot, and it's a delightful read for a youngster, or for an older person who is willing to be a child again for the hour or so that it would take to read it.
March 27, 2023
This wasn't my favorite, but all my kids said they would rate it between a 4.5-5 stars. They thought the chase between Porky Porcupine, Granny Fox and Old Man Coyote was very entertaining. A good lesson in not judging others (Granny and some of the other forest creatures thought he wasn't very smart, but he outsmarted them all in the end).
March 11, 2024
Such a fun story!!! A lot of great imagery. Makes a great read aloud. We enjoyed the audio book read by Geoffery Giuliano. It also brought up a lot of great inquisitory questions for my 4 yr old like "what is a chestnut?" and "can I see Purple Hill?". Can't wait to read/listen to more Thornton Burgess with the kids!
September 27, 2018
Old Man Coyote wasn't a character I was a familiar with in the Burgess books. This book has more action than the others we've read. He is even more sly than Reddy and Granny Fox which is fun. The show down between him and Prickly Porky was humorous.
August 17, 2022
I nice little read for children. There are many opportunities to teach lessons along with the text, the little rhymes heading up the chapters are fun and this one has quite a few twists in the plot which were fun. I wouldn't say my life is better for reading it (as an adult) but it was pleasant.
February 17, 2018
Much to learn here about animals in their natural habitats, as well as character traits that can be used for good or evil. Burgess is a family favorite for nature study and science.
April 17, 2018
بهترین چیزی که میوتنم درباره خوبی این کتاب بگم ارجاع دادن خوانندگان دهه 60 به کارتون موش کوهستان هسست تا یادآور لذتی که از دیدن اون کارتون رو داشتید بتونید با خوندنش دوباره به یاد بیارید
February 7, 2019
It's always a pleasure to go back to Burgess characters.Granny fox, Peter rabbit, Jimmy skunk. I loved story of intelligent old man coyote.
March 9, 2019
This is one of several Thornton W. Burgess books that I remember my dad reading to me and my sister when we were little. Loved them. Later read it on my own.
June 30, 2019
When Old Man Coyote was not in front of Prickly Porky's tail.
April 20, 2021
This is a perfect read aloud if your kids span a larger age range. My 4, 6 & 8 year old boys all loved this. It's the perfect read aloud series for younger ages!
January 1, 2022
Not quite as fun as Prickly Porky, but definitely more interesting than Old man Toad.
April 19, 2023
Great lessons!
March 29, 2024
Read this childhood classic to my boys. I like how Burgess weaves real-life lessons into his stories.
July 25, 2024
Great book, I listened to the audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so that everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVf9h...
August 25, 2025
Cute book! The author is entertaining
January 31, 2011
The Burgess Books
This is a phrase that brings a smile to my face as often as I hear it. As a young child, I would lose myself for hours in the simple world of the wood and pond inhabited by Little Joe Otter, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, and terrorized by Farmer Brown's Boy. I can remember the very shelf, even the exact spot in the little library in Felton, CA where these books were kept. I would return practically every week with a new armload to last me until our next trip to the library. Often I would carry out stories that I read several times before, just so I could once again escape into this imaginary world of furry mischief.
I remember these books well in concept, though the specifics of most of the stories elude me. It was easily fifteen years ago when I began reading them and has been over a decade since I last picked up one of Burguess' stories to read it. That being said, this review is being written as a look back.
These stories are very simple and very fun. Of course, they are children's literature, so that's to be expected, but these stories strike me as especially so. Even still, I can remember some fascinating things I gleaned between the their covers.
For one thing, Burgess did a fantastic job of presenting the ideas of persepective and motivation in simplistic terms. For example, "The Adventures of Danny Field Mouse" would cast Old Man Coyote as a vicious, mean creature wishing to prey on Danny and his friends and family. Yet, pick up instead "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" and you'll see that when the story is told with him as the protagonist, those pesky field mice are annoying and useful for little more than a snack. After reading both books, you're no more inclined to think of Old Man Coyote as a villian than you are to think of Danny Field Mouse as a pest that should be exterminated. (Note: This is a generic example. I do not recall if Old Man Coyote plays a role in Danny Field Mouse's story or the other way around, but this concept was presented several times. It made an impression on me.)
The only characters consistantly presented as antagonists were Farmer Brown and his boy. This would be one of the only things that I chalk up as odd, or maybe just a little "off" in these books. Humans and their influence on nature are presented as a negative influence on nature and animals - always. It's interesting to note though that while humans are seen as a negative, humanity is lauded and held up as virtuous. All of the animals take on not only human personalities but characteristics, traits, and mannerisms. From a frog with a monocle and an otter with a handkerchief tied to a stick, to a busy-body Jay and a reclusive owl who desires only to be left alone, humanity and it's traits keep cropping up.
Which would be another thing of value I feel that I saw in the Burgess books. These stories are full of social interaction and personality conflicts, even if they are charicatured more often than not. We see over and over again a working out of peace, if not harmony, between conflicting personalities. It may not always be easy to point out a scripture to reinforce the lesson implied, but social harmony is presented and more often than not, resolution is through reconciliation, forgiveness, or a similar method that is not only laudable, but distinctly Christian in action if not motivation.
All in all, the world created by Thornton W. Burgess is imaginative, innocent, fun, and educational. My reccomendation? Grab a handful from your local library, gather a group of kids as an excuse, and lose yourselves in childhood imaginations as you read aloud the stories that have captivated several generations of young readers with the antics of our furry, albiet elusively human, friends.
(Disclaimers: As I said, it has been over a decade since I actually read one of Burgess' books. As such, there may be a specific example that's a little off in this review or something that I would have noticed as an adult that my childhood memories are missing. Also, all of these books say I read them in 1998. While I'm certain I read several of them that year, I'm sure I read some before and after that date as well.)
This is a phrase that brings a smile to my face as often as I hear it. As a young child, I would lose myself for hours in the simple world of the wood and pond inhabited by Little Joe Otter, Buster Bear, Grandfather Frog, and terrorized by Farmer Brown's Boy. I can remember the very shelf, even the exact spot in the little library in Felton, CA where these books were kept. I would return practically every week with a new armload to last me until our next trip to the library. Often I would carry out stories that I read several times before, just so I could once again escape into this imaginary world of furry mischief.
I remember these books well in concept, though the specifics of most of the stories elude me. It was easily fifteen years ago when I began reading them and has been over a decade since I last picked up one of Burguess' stories to read it. That being said, this review is being written as a look back.
These stories are very simple and very fun. Of course, they are children's literature, so that's to be expected, but these stories strike me as especially so. Even still, I can remember some fascinating things I gleaned between the their covers.
For one thing, Burgess did a fantastic job of presenting the ideas of persepective and motivation in simplistic terms. For example, "The Adventures of Danny Field Mouse" would cast Old Man Coyote as a vicious, mean creature wishing to prey on Danny and his friends and family. Yet, pick up instead "The Adventures of Old Man Coyote" and you'll see that when the story is told with him as the protagonist, those pesky field mice are annoying and useful for little more than a snack. After reading both books, you're no more inclined to think of Old Man Coyote as a villian than you are to think of Danny Field Mouse as a pest that should be exterminated. (Note: This is a generic example. I do not recall if Old Man Coyote plays a role in Danny Field Mouse's story or the other way around, but this concept was presented several times. It made an impression on me.)
The only characters consistantly presented as antagonists were Farmer Brown and his boy. This would be one of the only things that I chalk up as odd, or maybe just a little "off" in these books. Humans and their influence on nature are presented as a negative influence on nature and animals - always. It's interesting to note though that while humans are seen as a negative, humanity is lauded and held up as virtuous. All of the animals take on not only human personalities but characteristics, traits, and mannerisms. From a frog with a monocle and an otter with a handkerchief tied to a stick, to a busy-body Jay and a reclusive owl who desires only to be left alone, humanity and it's traits keep cropping up.
Which would be another thing of value I feel that I saw in the Burgess books. These stories are full of social interaction and personality conflicts, even if they are charicatured more often than not. We see over and over again a working out of peace, if not harmony, between conflicting personalities. It may not always be easy to point out a scripture to reinforce the lesson implied, but social harmony is presented and more often than not, resolution is through reconciliation, forgiveness, or a similar method that is not only laudable, but distinctly Christian in action if not motivation.
All in all, the world created by Thornton W. Burgess is imaginative, innocent, fun, and educational. My reccomendation? Grab a handful from your local library, gather a group of kids as an excuse, and lose yourselves in childhood imaginations as you read aloud the stories that have captivated several generations of young readers with the antics of our furry, albiet elusively human, friends.
(Disclaimers: As I said, it has been over a decade since I actually read one of Burgess' books. As such, there may be a specific example that's a little off in this review or something that I would have noticed as an adult that my childhood memories are missing. Also, all of these books say I read them in 1998. While I'm certain I read several of them that year, I'm sure I read some before and after that date as well.)
May 22, 2014
My 7 yr old gave these books a 5. I agree. "His books are awesome' she says.I liked the way morals were told in an entertaining way. I bet my daughter didn't feel she was being moralized at because she wanted to hear the whole book. I've tried others that had a distinct 'moral' or 'value' and she hates it.(Books that go ... is thankful or ... learns to be honest. blah.
Burgess books are interesting entertaining and a good read. Hopefully the little lessons learned by the animals were also learned and put away in the back of my daughter's mind!
But if not, that's ok. A book is meant to entertain and if it did that, that works for me.
They are a little 'old-fashioned' meaning the sun is called: Mr. round red jolly sun, the wind is Old Mother West Wind, a breeze is One of Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes etc. Quaint and not exactly science but endearing nonetheless. But other than that these books are science in story form. The stories are about real life things that frogs or bears or skunks do or could do. Unlike most books with animals as main characters where they learn to ride bikes, win the spelling bee at school etc. Beginning animal lore for young children. Or budding animal lovers.
If you miss any of these from your local library they are also on Gutenberg's free books site.
Personally I think that these should be re-released with new covers so kids will read them again.
The books themselves:
Old Man Coyote: Something is making a new sound in the Green Meadows/ Green Forest. The animals don't know what it could be. When it is discovered who has moved in, Granny Fox is determined to oust them from HER feeding grounds. Granny is in for a surprise because this stranger isn't easy to fool.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: courage, resisting temptation, good planning
Old Mother West Wind: A group of stories with Mother West Wind or her Little Breezes helping the animals of the Meadow and forest. A couple of 'how the xxx got/ lost zzz' stories also that were quite entertaining.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: vanity, friendship, contentment, helpfulness.
Buster Bear: Buster moves to the Green Woods. This doesn't please the other animals because he takes 'their' fish, and they are frightened of him. But when the animals find out that Farmer Brown's Boy is afraid of Buster, they look at him with new eyes...until they find out the next personality trait Buster shows.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: temper, new friends come to the neighborhood.
Danny Meadow Mouse: Danny gets upset because he has a short tail. He also gets caught by Hooty the Owl, who wants him for dinner.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, anger, envy, kindness, friendship, look before you leap.
Grandfather Frog: He decides it's time for him to see more of the world. A little risk keeps life exciting. He has some exciting adventures before discovering 'there's no place like home'.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, mischieviousness, thoughtlessness, patience.
Bobby Coon: Poor Bobby awakes from his winter nap to find his tree being chopped down! He is injured in the fall but taken good care of by Farmer Brown' Boy His trial are not yet over. Bobby must find a new home but that is harder than he thinks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: helping others, not worrying needlessly, losing your temper.
Burgess books are interesting entertaining and a good read. Hopefully the little lessons learned by the animals were also learned and put away in the back of my daughter's mind!
But if not, that's ok. A book is meant to entertain and if it did that, that works for me.
They are a little 'old-fashioned' meaning the sun is called: Mr. round red jolly sun, the wind is Old Mother West Wind, a breeze is One of Mother West Wind's Children, the Merry Little Breezes etc. Quaint and not exactly science but endearing nonetheless. But other than that these books are science in story form. The stories are about real life things that frogs or bears or skunks do or could do. Unlike most books with animals as main characters where they learn to ride bikes, win the spelling bee at school etc. Beginning animal lore for young children. Or budding animal lovers.
If you miss any of these from your local library they are also on Gutenberg's free books site.
Personally I think that these should be re-released with new covers so kids will read them again.
The books themselves:
Old Man Coyote: Something is making a new sound in the Green Meadows/ Green Forest. The animals don't know what it could be. When it is discovered who has moved in, Granny Fox is determined to oust them from HER feeding grounds. Granny is in for a surprise because this stranger isn't easy to fool.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: courage, resisting temptation, good planning
Old Mother West Wind: A group of stories with Mother West Wind or her Little Breezes helping the animals of the Meadow and forest. A couple of 'how the xxx got/ lost zzz' stories also that were quite entertaining.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: vanity, friendship, contentment, helpfulness.
Buster Bear: Buster moves to the Green Woods. This doesn't please the other animals because he takes 'their' fish, and they are frightened of him. But when the animals find out that Farmer Brown's Boy is afraid of Buster, they look at him with new eyes...until they find out the next personality trait Buster shows.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: temper, new friends come to the neighborhood.
Danny Meadow Mouse: Danny gets upset because he has a short tail. He also gets caught by Hooty the Owl, who wants him for dinner.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, anger, envy, kindness, friendship, look before you leap.
Grandfather Frog: He decides it's time for him to see more of the world. A little risk keeps life exciting. He has some exciting adventures before discovering 'there's no place like home'.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: greed, mischieviousness, thoughtlessness, patience.
Bobby Coon: Poor Bobby awakes from his winter nap to find his tree being chopped down! He is injured in the fall but taken good care of by Farmer Brown' Boy His trial are not yet over. Bobby must find a new home but that is harder than he thinks.
Morals/ values/ lessons intertwined in the book: helping others, not worrying needlessly, losing your temper.
June 30, 2009
This one is even better than Danny Meadow Mouse! I'd give it 10 stars if I could.
September 28, 2009
This is the first book by Thornton Burgess that we read. I discovered it in my dad's bedroom where he kept his treasures from his childhood. All of my children have since loved it.
September 5, 2011
I had a grand time reading this one aloud to my siblings!
October 29, 2015
I liked it. It's about how they learn about Old Man Coyote and they don't like his voice at all.
December 31, 2015
I liked it. I would have rated it 4 and 1/2, but I think I would rate it 5 since I had to rate it 4 or 5.
March 24, 2017
I've never read these stories before so they were new to me. I guess this is where Peter rabbit got his start. great characters and vile villains. old man coyote is wise and fair. the stories themselves are fairly riveting, so if I kid will give them a try, it should pique his interest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews