No Peacocks! - by Robin Newman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Based on the real-life beloved bird celebrities who live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (who are known to run off the grounds), and brought to the page in bold, bright style, No Peacocks! is a hilarious romp and a perfect read-aloud.

Every day, Harry, Phil, and Jim are fed sunflower seeds by the staff who care for them at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. But one day, they decide they're sick of them. They make a break for the New York City streets in search of pizza or Chinese takeout.

But everywhere they go, they're told "No peacocks!" by the restaurant owners.

So they try to get an ooey, gooey, delicious meal closer to home. But how are they going to sneak into the school cafeteria and get their wings on the school's world-famous mac 'n cheese? A little plotting, some stolen disguises, and a little help from some students, and the mission is a go!

But will the peacocks get their mac 'n cheese? Or will their cover be blown so they have to fly the coop?

This paperback edition contains updated resource materials!

Review Quotes

"Chris Ewald's art truly takes flight in this tale. His illustrations feature so many funny expressions and peacocky poses of our fab feathered friends. The spreads are richly colored in vibrant jewel tones, quite fitting for peafowls, and they're also full of movement as the story itself leaps forward. Together with Newman's prose, Ewald's art easily makes No Peacocks! a perfect story-time pick. Also helpful is a page of Resources at the end for peacock enthusiasts and those interested in learning more about the uptown celebrity birds that inspired the book." --Ronna Mandel at Good Reads With Ronna

"Three conniving peacocks with character and so much more. Robin Newman once again entertains readers with her masterful puns--this time bird puns--which will elicit some joyful giggles from children and encourage them to find more puns. The text is funny and the vocabulary rich. Readers will cheer for these three proud and cocky friends as they plot to steal some of the school's mac 'n cheese. Phil, Jim and Harry are quirky, mischievous, and even devious in their pursuit of the cafeteria's famous specialty. It is a perfect read-aloud at home or in the classroom! Chris Ewald's colorful and lively illustrations contribute to the fun-loving antics, hilarity and silliness of this dynamic threesome: Jim Phil and Harry." --Patricia Tilton for Children's Books Heal

"Tired of the daily sunflower seeds they are fed from the staff at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Phil, Jim, and Harry decide they want to try something new, so they make a break for it in search of pizza or Chinese takeout. But everywhere they go, they're told 'No peacocks!' With some stolen disguises and help from students, they devise a plan to sneak into a school cafeteria to try some mac and cheese! These silly peacocks are penned after the real celebrity birds of St. John's. A truly fun story. Includes a comprehensive curriculum guide." --Darleen Wohlfeil, for Story Monsters Ink

About the Author

Robin Newman was a practicing attorney and legal editor, but she now prefers to write about witches, mice, pigs and peacocks. She lives in New York with her husband, son, and two spoiled spaniels, who are extremely fond of peacocks.

Chris Ewald studied art at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He spends his days designing and illustrating for video games and avoiding broccoli. He spends his evenings immersed in making picture books and avoiding sleep. Chris currently lives in Austin, Texas, with his action figures and a steady stream of tacos.