Prairie Dog Town

Janette Oke's Animal Friends #7

by Janette Oke

Flick, a curious young prairie dog, learns about the pleasures and dangers of life outside his family's underground home, as well as the importance of obeying his parents.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Christian Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book each year to my second grade class. I enjoy the way Janette Oke teaches lessons people need to learn by using very personable animal characters who have very human faults. My class enjoyed it, but some said it was not one of their favorites because there isn't quite as much "action" as some of the books I read contain. Still, I highly recommend it.

[Sophia Barsuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are at their best when these characters actually have an arc. I enjoyed Flick going from stretching the truth to outright lying to coming clean. It was very sweet. Yes, these books absolutely have not held up from when I was a child, but this was a fun little nostalgia trip.

[CEGatling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gabriel really likes this book and often narrates back to me what happened in the previous chapters. He looks forward to reading the next thing and really is into prairie dog life. LOL!

[Myra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved these books as a teen and young adult until I read Mrs. Mike by Freemont. I realized this author merely copied another author's work as her own without giving them credit. Plagerism!!! It really made me take another look at this "Christian" author. It really tarnish my love for this author. As a future educator, I loved this animal series but I could not purchase her books because that would be condoning her practice of stealing the work of others.

[Gary Reimer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little story book that teaches about the prairie dog town while it tells the stories of a little Prairie dog named Flick. Through the story, Janette Oke finds a non-obtrusive way of pointing out that ones decisions will have various consequences.

[Courtney Bellingar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book to read to my 4yr old before nap time. She enjoyed it so much and often talked about Flick and what may happen next. A fun way to learn more about prairie dogs as well. Definitely recommend for any little animal lovers.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little story about cute little animals ... hazards of nature ... and how following the rules helps keep them safe. Good lesson for us all.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the duck one better but this is cute

[Wintermote · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was fine. Nothing super novel or noteworthy in my humble opinion. Read at bedtime with my little one. She enjoyed it. Main character learns about being truthful and listening to his parents.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her children's books! They always teach a good lesson.