Publication date: June 8, 2021

Jonathan’s parents have decided to let Jonathan choose a pet. They are not prepared for his choice—a giant eagle. (Is that even legal?)

Jonathan recounts his new experiences with this unique and astonishing pet. A mythical giant eagle doesn’t fit easily into everyday life, but there are some advantages to having such a creature by your side. Ultimately, Jonathan comes to the difficult decision that his new friend must be set free.

With rhyming text and a humorous and lighthearted tone, this book is meant to be read aloud.

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

What a fun book! When Jonathan is told by his parents that he can have a pet, he chooses a giant eagle. They have fun together, but Jonathan eventually learns on his own that his eagle needs more space and freedom, so he lets him go.

Jonathan and the Giant Eagle encourages children to use their imaginations. It is meant to read aloud, which makes sense because the text is rhyming, and the illustrations are bright and colorful and big enough to read the book to a whole class. They’re also quite detailed!

This is definitely a book I recommend to read to young children. I’m looking forward to getting a copy to read to my grandchildren.

About the Author

Danny Christopher is a Canadian illustrator and art teacher. He has travelled throughout the Canadian Arctic as an instructor for Nunavut Arctic College. He is the illustrator of The Legend of the Fog, A Children’s Guide to Arctic Birds, and Animals Illustrated: Polar Bear, and author of Putuguq and Kublu. His work on The Legend of the Fog was nominated for the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Illustration Award. He lives in Toronto with his wife, four children, and a puppy.