A STORK FOR THE BELL TOWER

by Dale Fife ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 30, 1964

The story hinges on whether or not any storks will nest in Storkheim, for without them there will be no stork festival; the tourists will stop coming; and the business men are completely discouraged at the thought of the loss in profit. Seppala, the small son of the good carver, is the one to make the most effort to lure the storks in. He makes a huge nest and hopefully places it on the roof of the church, but the flock passes the town by. However, the publicity given the town through Seppala's efforts brings a gift of two baby storks for the nest and the festival comes off in high-style. The story is overlong and fairly predictable. It doesn't answer three inevitable questions -- Why have the storks ceased nesting there? Who is going to take care of the acquired baby storks? How will they be reared? The setting is Alsace and a combination of German, French and patois dots the text (glossary provided).

Pub Date: March 30, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Coward-McCann

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1964

Categories: CHILDREN'S