I did not like this book for a couple of reasons. The book was meant to be math oriented but I do not think it served its purpose. It tried to focus on the number 10 and counting and so on but that part of the story was confused with the plot. The birds escaped their cage and hid from their owner and then simply flew back in the next night. There was no climax or sense of tension to keep the students engaged. While it was definitely meant for lower grade levels, it still needed more complexity to it. Additionally, the book had connecting beginning and ends but it felt as though the book ended abruptly. The birds left their cage because they were bored of their owner saying the same greeting every morning and by the end of the story he was still saying the same greetings. There was no sense of resolution to the “problem.” The story’s plot was so insignificant that it is hard to say what the main idea is. I personally believe the book is meant strictly for the use of counting to 10 and having students work with numbers. ( )

I liked this book for two reasons. First, I really liked the writing. The story was engaging and paced very well. It began with the doctors daily routine and included repetition. For example, after each activity he completed it would say "as he always does." This gave the story a different and engaging tone. The other thing I liked about the story was how the author relied on the illustrations to make the story humorous. Each time the doctor went looking for the birds, the pictures showed them hiding throughout the house. Children would love to point each one out as they see them. The big idea of this story was to play a joke on the birds' owner. ( )

I remember buying this while I was on a cricket tour in Oswestry. I bet the bookshop is no longer there. I read it and like Quentin Blake's style. I don't think my son for whom it was purchased found it of much interest.