The Battle for Castle Cockatrice

by Gerald Durrell

Book Overview

What do you get when you cross a bunch of odious toads and ornery fire-breathing birds with one parrot, a distressed dragon, a group of weasels, a troop of mermaids, a herd of unicorns, a band of gryphons, and three children? When Penelope, Simon, and Peter go to the beach, they get a surprise they'll never forget. A package washes ashore and begins to speak The children open it up to reveal a talking parrot and spider who were kidnapped and sent away. Their home is Mythologia, where sunrise takes place all day long and magical creatures like Mooncalves and Will-o'-the-Wisps lived peacefully--until the evil Cockatrices decided to take over. And now the new rulers are threatening to turn it into a land of cruelty and fear. It's only a matter of time before the Cockatrices become all powerful. So with the help of a counterspy toad, Penelope, Simon, and Peter decide to do everything they can to help overthrow the wicked birds. But will they be able to survive a trip to Mythologia's scariest places and defeat the evil Cockatrices? For Penelope, Simon, and Peter, a day at the beach is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. A big brown package washes ashore and begins to speak Imprisoned inside are Parrot and his companion Ducibelle, a spider, exiles from the land of Mythologia, where magical creatures like unicorns, dragons, and mermaids live together happilyuntil the villainous cockatrices (half serpent, half rooster) take over and enslave the entire population. Can the children help defeat the evil cockatrices and restore peace to Mythologia?A charming, whimsical tour-de-force, The Battle for Castle Cockatrice is a classic story that fantasy readers will welcome back into print.A marvelously created fantasy. The Horn Book

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064407802
• ISBN13: 9780064407809
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

So happy to see it back in print!

Like the other reviewer, I was crazy about this book when I was a kid (so much so that I convinced my 6th grade English class to adapt it into a full-scale theatrical production). It's a fantastic story, and I'm so excited for my nephews and nieces to have the chance to enjoy it as much as their mothers and I did!

Our Favorite Book Ever

My sister and I probably checked this book out of the public library 50 times when we were kids. Back then, the book was titled "The Talking Parcel". I am not sure why the switch to "Battle for Castle Cockatrice", maybe that makes it sound more exciting, but this is the same book. The story is full of magical creatures and adventures, clever wordplay and humor. A great read-aloud book, too.

ORIGINAL

I first read this charming book almost 9 years ago when I was given an early copy of it at age 10. I instantly fell in love with it & you can imagine how disappointed I was when I lost it 6 years ago. I have been searching for it ever since & now I can't even find another copy of it anywhere. I am a young aspiring director & I'm hoping to turn it into a screenplay one day (with the correct permission ofcourse). I don't understand why the title has been changed or why this fabulous story is nolonger being printed. BRING IT BACK!!!!! I sayTake care :O)DOLPHIN!

Great Book to start children or young adults with

I read this book as a young child, and absolutely fell in love with it. I checked it out of my home town library many, many, many times. I truly wish it was still in print--I would buy it for my home and the libray I am director of. The characters are charming, funny, scary, loveable, and very imaginative. The story draws you in, and makes you wish there was a sequel so you could read some more. Would highly recommend to someone else.

A true Utopia!

The first book my dad ever bought me ( I was seven years old and have read it at least once a year since - and I'm now thirty!) If you want to teach your children how to use their imaginations - get your hands on this book - by hook, by crook or by any means necessary!A blaze of colour, a masterpiece of imagination and a real bloody shame it's out of print. If ANYONE knows a cartoonist - PLEASE get them to animate this story!