{"product_id":"9781596439580","title":"The Emperor's Ostrich","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMagic and mayhem abound in this middle-grade fantasy adventure from Julie Berry, the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYoung 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeanwhile, 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 Begonia's wits to save the empire and get Alfalfa home safely.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Emperor's Ostrich\u003c\/i\u003e:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“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.” —\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“Berry (\u003ci\u003eThe Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place\u003c\/i\u003e) 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.” —\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\"This whimsical, rambling adventure also serves as a coming-of-age tale. . . . This novel is well written and well executed, with Berry's clear prose holding together a complicated plot and increasingly eccentric cast of characters. . . . Give to kids who enjoy a clever story and don't mind a strong dose of silliness, or to anyone who loves the idea of a cow who becomes besotted with an ostrich.\" —\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Roaring Brook Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47035605418224,"sku":"9781596439580","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781596439580_p0.jpg?v=1763811272","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781596439580","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}