Thornton W Burgess was born in 1874 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He was known as a conservationist and writer of children’s books. Burgess loved the beauty of nature so much that during a fifty-year span he wrote 170 books and over 150 stories centered on nature and animals. Peter Rabbit and Jerry Muskrat are two of his most memorable characters. Mother West Wind’s Children contains fifteen classic animal tales including Danny Meadow Mouse learns why his tail is short. –Why Reddy Fox has no friends. –Why Peter Rabbit’s ears are long. –Reddy Fox disobeys. –Striped Chipmunk’s pockets. –Reddy Fox, the boaster. –Johnny Chuck’s secret. –Johnny Chuck’s great fight. –Mr. Toad’s old suit. –Grandfather Frog gets even. -The bush. –Why Bobby Coon washes his food. –The merry little breezes have a busy day. –Why Hooty the Owl does not play on the green meadows. –Danny Meadow Mouse learns to laugh. These stories are recommended for lower Elementary grades.
