Skip to main content

Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji

Illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff


I have a confession to make: I don't like animal stories. I don't know why. I can't explain it. I just don't find them interesting. Of course, there are some animal stories just so well-written that even non-animal story lovers like myself enjoy them. :o)

In Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon written by Dhan Gopal Mukerji and illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff (Dutton Juvenile; reprint edition, 1968), a very engaging narrator shares the daring adventures of his pigeon, Gay-Neck. Gay-Neck is a beautiful and talented pigeon ("soul of flight, pearl among pigeons"). I got swept up in Gay-Neck's escapades. He flies in the face of storms, gets into skirmishes with birds of prey, fights for leadership in the flock, participates in pigeon competitions, and becomes the glory of the Indian army in the first World War!

Gay-Neck is a great example of a book that is both educational and an interesting story. It satisfies children's curiosity about nature and demand for quality entertainment. In Gay-Neck, one learns much about birds - everything from how a pigeon learns to fly and how a swift builds its nest, to how eagles treat their young and how pheasants save themselves from danger. This book makes bird life fascinating, and sometimes Gay-Neck's ventures are downright GRIPPING. Highly recommended for children who love animals.


[I bought my own copy of Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon.]
Labels:

Comments

  1. MissAJanuary 6, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Ugh I call pigeons rats with wings. heehee. but since it talks about eagles and you say it makes bird life fascinating...I'm not a fan of animal stories either (or movies for that matter).

    But you won over at the poc reading challenge!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tarie SabidoJanuary 6, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    If pigeons are rats with wings, then Gay-Neck is the greatest rat with wings! Hahaha!

    Thanks for letting me know, Ari. =D

    ReplyDelete
  3. AshleyJanuary 16, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    I read this one a few years ago and was rather unimpressed... To be honest, I'm always a little bit surprised when people do like it. You review is great though! It almost makes me want to reread the book to see if I can pick up on what you got out of the book. (almost)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tarie SabidoJanuary 16, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Hi, Ashley! Hahaha! And thank you. =D

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino (I Am A Good Filipino) by Noel Cabangon and Jomike Tejido

This one is a real crowd pleaser: Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino , Lampara Books ' 2012 picture book adaptation of Noel Cabangon 's song, with Cabangon's original Filipino lyrics, functional English translations by Becky Bravo , and illustrations by Jomike Tejido ! Cabangon's inspiring lyrics remind children of the ways they can be good Filipinos, such as doing their best in school and obeying their parents. There are plenty of reminders for adults too, such as following traffic rules and not selling their votes during elections. Tejido's illustrations are warm and wholesome, acrylic paintings on hand-woven mats that depict different ways to be good citizens.    You just can't go wrong with Ako'y Isang Mabuting Pilipino ! Children and adults will understand and appreciate the lyrics and paintings. The chords of the song are provided, so music lovers can play and sing along. There are notes and guide questions for educators. There is even ...
3 comments
Read more

Author Interview: Edna Cabcabin Moran

This was originally posted at Into the Wardrobe on May 28, 2009. Today, I am SO PROUD to present my interview with Filipino American author illustrator Edna Cabcabin Moran . *bursts with pride* Welcome, Edna!! Author/Illustrator, Edna Cabcabin Moran. Photo by Mark Moran. Can you tell us a bit about your Asian American heritage? My parents are from Eastern Samar, Philippines, an historic island in the Visayan island chain. My father was a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer who brought my mom and older siblings to this country. I am the first American-born child in the family. Growing up, I always felt like I straddled two cultures. I'm very American in the way I dress, speak and carry myself. I don't know Tagalog and I lost touch with my parent's dialect, Waray Waray. However, I have strong cultural roots and have retained much of my Filipino-ness which includes a deep, abiding respect for the elders and their stories. Perhaps the family meal is a good indicator of how one is ra...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bugtong Bugtong 2: More Filipino Riddles by Daniel Palma Tayona

Bugtong Bugtong 2: More Filipino Riddles By Daniel Palma Tayona Tahanan Books, 2013 A tribute to Rene O. Villanueva's 1998 classic book Bugtong, Bugtong Riddle: Sariling-sarili mo na, ginagamit pa ng iba. Answer: Pangalan ! This illustrated collection of 57 Filipino riddles is fun for everyone. I can definitely see a parent or child reading aloud from this book, trying to stump the rest of the family. I can see bored teens reading these riddles to each other too! I read some of the riddles to my teen students and some to my adult friends and there's just something so satisfying about seeing one triumphant face shout out the correct answer from among a group of confused faces. I can also see a child poring over this book by his or herself. Everything about Bugtong Bugtong 2 's book design is kid friendly: Everything from the type size and face to the book's size and the thickness of the paper make the book very inviting and easy to read. The ink and gouache...
Post a Comment
Read more