Sparrow Jack

by Mordicai Gerstein

A lively twist on the immigrant story

When John Bardsley leaves England to seek his fortune in America, he finds that his new city, Philadelphia, is crawling with inchworms! No one seems to know how to get rid of them, and the American birds turn up their beaks at the thought of eating any. Recalling his rescue of a very hungry baby sparrow when he was a boy, John comes up with a novel way to solve the problem, and he once again sets sail across the ocean in order to save his new city – with some help from his feathered friends.

Using detailed illustrations, Mordicai Gerstein tells the little-known story of how sparrows came to America and how John Bardsley came to be known as Sparrow Jack .  Sparrow Jack is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Mordicai Gerstein was an American artist, writer, and film director, best known for illustrating and writing children's books. He illustrated the comic mystery fiction series Something Queer is Going On.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story. Sparrows are not native to america. They were purposely brought over to help with an inchworm problem that was killing the trees in Philadelphia. The author used historical ideas and concept to tell the story of how the bird got here. And he uses excellent illustrations to hone the point.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is loosely biographical. Okay, it has talking sparrows, but the basic bones of the story are factual. And it's an interesting story. Introduced species are science curriculum and this reveals an intentional introduction that actually had a positive effect. Now, I don't know if there weren't eventual negative consequences of bringing sparrows to America, but at least this one started out well. The story is pretty good. I could have done without the talking bird interlude in the middle, but I can overlook that. The illustrations are nice in a comical sort of way.

[CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not Captain Jack

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful tale about a wise man and helpful birds who work together to solve a big problem, dramatized with nostalgic, eye-catching illustrations. A loving tribute to all of the birds, especially sparrows, “who share this world with us so cheerfully” and those who appreciate them.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a different kind of immigrant coming to America. When the people of Philadelphia had a problem with inchworms eating the tender bushes and leaves of trees, John Bardsly remembered his feathered friends back home in England who would eat anything including inchworms. When he sailed to England and brought back 1000 house sparrows, he was hailed a hero for solving the dilemma of the inchworm.

Used for "Feathered Friends" storytime-October, 2009

[Chelsey]

Picture Book

[Caren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story how English Sparrows came to America. I could read this one to classes.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

So that's how English sparrows got to the US.