A Cote of Many Colors

Janette Oke's Animal Friends #11

by Janette Oke

A Janette Oke Classic Children's Story. Mark and Timmie long for a pet but can only dream about the cote of pigeons their neighbor has. When a chance to care for the birds arrives, the boys learn a lesson in responsibility.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

134 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1987

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

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the last time I read this book I was in 2nd grade. I learned some things about pigeons. I would probably give it 3 stars now, but I'm going to honor my remembered impressions as an eight-year-old.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book, told from a homing pigeon's point of view ... and teaches lessons on perserverence and determination. And would you believe ... while I was sitting in my van reading the book, a pigeon flew right beside my van and landed on the one parked next to me. It was really cool.

[Sahaj Gaming · Rating 1 out of 5]

0000000

[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.

[Nyambura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suitable book for 9-13 year olds

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read a great many books narrated by birds in my life, but, A Cote of Many Colors is enjoyable. It isn't solely told through a pigeon's point of view--for better or worse. The pigeons on the farm are upset. Mr. Faraday has completely gone missing. He has not remembered to feed them. He has not come out from the house though it is hours past time. The birds are restless, and so are the next-door neighbors who watch the birds as their favorite hobby. They have a feeling that something is wrong, that the birds are upset for a good reason, that Mr. Faraday's actions aren't typical...and they are brave enough to trespass and look through his windows to see if he is okay. They see him passed out on the floor; they get him help. Mark and Timmie give him continued help over the next years as everyone's life changes dramatically.

A Cote of Many Colors is a pleasant read though I don't quite understand the racing aspect of it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Story for Children

This is a very short story appropriate for children. It is the story of two brothers and how their compassion and hard work earned them trust and a couple of friends - told from the perspective of a carrier pigeon who lived next door.

While Janette Oke is mostly known for her Christian Romance novels, she also wrote quite a few books for children. The story is easy to read and includes illustrations. Perfect for young readers.

4 stars

This review originally appeared at http://sophiesmindset.blogspot.com/20... as a part of the Reading Challenge 2016. To see other books in the challenge, click here.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Bria]

This is why I know the vocabulary word "cote".