Fred Burstein is a poet of moments. He enjoys the woodlands around his home and celebrates them in short, lovely verses. From the poet’s sharp eye we learn which way the frog faces …when the red eft comes out of hiding … how the wind, rain, sun and snow tickle the senses. We see through the eyes of a child, hear through the mind of a natural man who has spent his entire life amidst turning leaves, red berries, chickadees, bluejays, woodpeckers—and who else do you know who counts the Jack-in-the-Pulpit as a best friend?

The Way to Cattail Pond

Children's Books

Burstein, Fred

Animals

Irie Books

Animal Dreams by poet, teacher and children's author, Fred Burstein, is a special way of seeing how children see the creatures of their imagination. In this case, it's a baby buffalo, a horse, a goldfinch, and a pod of whales. Each animal has a special message to impart to the dreaming boy, who, one imagines is the author. The animal dreams come swiftly on magical hooves, wings and fins. Every morning, after the dream, the boy asks his mother questions. Sometimes, it's the mom who asks the questions. They each, in their way, seek the meaning of the dreams and find that each dream animal is a fortifying friend -- a creature of spiritual power giving the dreaming boy strength and insight, and most of all, love. As a result of mother and son talking about the dream animals, the reader comes away feeling that the dream is not just imagination but reality. The illustrations that accompany the stories are as beautiful as the poet's way with words and they fully complement one another. Anna Burstein, the illustrator is a painter whose dream-like images are softly enchanting, dreams all by themselves.

Animal Dreams

Review\nFrom School Library Journal 
PreSchool-Grade 1-- As in Rebecca's Nap (Bradbury, 1988), this team has produced a short, simple story told almost entirely in dialogue. Sophie and Miriam come to the park with their mothers and baby siblings. There they discover they both have the same snack--animal crackers. Wanting to see the gold fish in the pond, they feed them the cookies. Large uncluttered pictures filled with clarity and warmth depict this moment of self-reliance and triumph between two preschoolers. The minimal, simple text may also be enjoyed by new readers. --Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA 
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.From Kirkus Reviews 
Miriam and Sophie arrive in the park at the same time, each with a box of animal crackers in her hand and with her mother pushing a baby in a stroller. While the mothers chat, the little girls check out the pond; there are no fish to be seen, but when the babies wake up hungry and begin to nurse, it gives the girls an idea: sure enough, the fish rise for ``a fox and a gorilla'' from the snack box. Then it's time to say, ``See you tomorrow.'' Cogancherry brings the warm, very simple story to life in her large double-spreads in soft pencil and watercolor. The little pond has just three Canada geese and waterlilies in bloom; with unusual authenticity, she depicts the preschoolers' conformation and movement, subtly delineating their facial expressions as they happily share an idea or activity. An attractive idyll and role model that could be used with toddler groups. (Picture book. 1-6) -- Copyright (c)1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.\n﻿\nFred Burstein is the author of eight children's books, many of which have won awards. 
Reviewers have said that he sees through the eyes of a child. However, in this book he is seeing through the eyes of his dog, Gracie. As we read we get to know a variety of birds in their natural environment. The same for Gracie. So the reader follows in her rather large footsteps and learns how each bird in the woodland lives, eats, sees. This book is like Gracie's own mind-movie. Beautifully expressed by the poet, Fred Burstein. Praises are also given Rebecca Burstein, Fred's daughter. In her intimate imagery, we see close up, the following birds: Robin, Blue Jay, Great Blue Heron, Tufted Titmouse, Ovenbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Shoveler Duck and Ruby Throated Hummingbird

Gracie's Birds

My Life Acting Writing and Sometimes Boxing

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Burstein, Fred. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Burstein, Fred