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Mac Barnett
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Telephone Hardcover – Picture Book, September 9, 2014

by Mac Barnett (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 54 ratings
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It's time to fly home for dinner! In this witty picture book from award-winning and bestselling author Mac Barnett, a mother bird gives the bird next to her a message for little Peter. But passing messages on a telephone line isn't as simple as it sounds. Each subsequent bird understands Mama's message according to its own very particular hobbies. Will Peter ever get home for dinner? This uproarious interpretation of a favorite children's game will get everyone giggling and is sure to lead to countless rereads.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.5 x 10.5 inches
  6. Publisher
    Chronicle Books
  7. Publication date
    September 9, 2014
  8. ISBN-10
    1452110239
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1452110233
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—Barnett offers an inspired take on the game of Telephone, where a simple sentence is twisted and confused as it passes from person to person. In this case, a mismatched flock of birds perched on a wire (a telephone wire, in fact) are responsible for passing a message from a mother pigeon to her son. Each bird has a unique interest that influences its version of the original message, "Tell Peter: Fly home for dinner," and guessing each bird's hobby becomes part of the fun of reading the book. The details in the boldly colored illustrations perfectly illuminate the avian personalities, from sweat beads on the nervous turkey, who cries, "Tell Peter: I'm too high up on this wire!" to the pocket square worn by the calm, wise owl, who manages to pass on the instructions accurately. Simple, silly text is kid-friendly and great for read-alouds, while spreads showing the whole line of birds and the houses below will hold any child's attention. Barnett has created another unique, clever book that young readers will love.—Marian McLeod, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, CT

Review

"Silly and funny!"--Imagination Soup

"A perfect marriage between text and artwork."--Shelf Awareness

“Over the top and silly… a great pick for a group read-aloud.”- Booklist

“An inspired take on the game of Telephone… that young readers will love!”-School Library Journal

“Raucous avian take on the old-school children’s game.”-The New York Times

“Fun continues down the wire.”--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Silly fun! (Pass it on.)"--Kirkus Reviews

"This fun tale is sure to produce laughs and creative spinoffs."--BookPage

“Amusing details play up the silliness of each new message iteration.”--The Horn Book

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books; 1st edition (September 9, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1452110239
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1452110233
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.5 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 54 ratings

About the author

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Mac Barnett

Mac Barnett

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Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author whose books for children have sold more than one million copies in the United States and have been translated into over 30 languages. His picture books include two Caldecott-Honor-winning collaborations with Jon Klassen: Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, which also won the E.B White Read-Aloud Award, and Extra Yarn, which won both the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award. Leo: A Ghost Story, illustrated by Christian Robinson, and The Skunk, illustrated by Patrick McDonnell, were named two of the Ten Best Illustrated Books of 2015 by The New York Times. Mac's novels include the Brixton Brothers series of mystery novels The Terrible Two series. He lives in Oakland, California.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
54 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

H.B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read aloud book
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
I really have a fun time reading this to my kids. And the artwork is pretty too!
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RobinS
5.0 out of 5 stars Really fun book
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2014
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I loved this book. The artwork and the simple message are so reminiscent of the game we played as children. Great illustrations.
2 people found this helpful
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JAMjelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny!
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is AWESOME! My seven year old daughter and I were at the library when she saw this on the shelf, she said, "Mom, we have to borrow this, it's so funny! "
Well, we read it every night for the 2-3 weeks we had borrowed it, and then I ordered our own copy and my daughter was so happy! We don't read it every night now, but it's in a regular rotation, and I LOVE the voices my daughter gives to all the characters. Worth every penny!
One person found this helpful
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Gina Michelle Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2016
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Delightful illustrations. Silly story. My nine month old daughter loves it and I do too.
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N. S.
3.0 out of 5 stars Meh
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2014
Verified Purchase
Not good for storytime but does have great illustrations.
2 people found this helpful
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Laura
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
Cute, fun book for younger readers. Pictures are great too.
One person found this helpful
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lgh28
5.0 out of 5 stars a favorite!
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2014
Verified Purchase
I cannot tell you how much my son (2) loves this book. My husband didn't get it until I read it in different voices (he had never experienced the game telephone) but it's become my son's favorite!
4 people found this helpful
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Ballet Fan
2.0 out of 5 stars Over-rated
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book was a real disappointment. The text is too silly and the illustrations lack clarity. Someone could have done a much better job with this theme. A VERY over-rated children's book
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Top reviews from other countries

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Nan Hdz
5.0 out of 5 stars Hermosos Gráficos
Reviewed in Mexico on June 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
Los gráficos son hetmososc le gusta mucho a mi sobrino
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LGMC
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on April 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
Wonderful book for my 4 yr. old grandchild.
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Robert Gurr
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2014
Verified Purchase
Our two little granddaughters loved it.
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