{"product_id":"the-emperors-ostrich-9781250158888","title":"The Emperor's Ostrich","description":"\u003cp\u003eMagic and mayhem abound in this middle-grade fantasy adventure from Julie Berry  the author of The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.  Young dairymaid Begonia has lost her cow Alfalfa. So she has set off on a search across the countryside even though she has nothing but a magical map to guide her. Along the way she meets a mother and baby  a woodcutter  a very dirty young man  and an eight-foot ostrich.  Meanwhile  the emperor has gone missing from the royal palace in a most mysterious manner. Was it murder? Was it magic? It will take all of Begonias wits to save the empire and get Alfalfa home safely.  The Emperors Ostrich:  Cheeky commentary about class and feminism  giggle-inducing wordplay  and jokes about the ridiculousness of imperial overindulgence round out this story. Readers looking for easy laughs will find them here. Kirkus Reviews  Berry (The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place) creates a lively  magic-laced folktale featuring a self-centered emperor  a dairymaid  a farmer boy with grand romantic ideals  and two very stubborn animals. . . . Whimsical details  including an enchanted map and a pot of mustard that changes flavor  will delight readers  and the nonstop action will keep them on the edge of their seats. Publishers Weekly  \"This whimsical  rambling adventure also serves as a coming-of-age tale. . . . This novel is well written and well executed  with Berrys clear prose holding together a complicated plot and increasingly eccentric cast of characters. . . . Give to kids who enjoy a clever story and dont mind a strong dose of silliness  or to anyone who loves the idea of a cow who becomes besotted with an ostrich.\" School Library Journal\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45115255717941,"sku":"ByrdShop_1250158885","price":58.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781250158888.jpg?v=1776012872","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-emperors-ostrich-9781250158888","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}