Master Darrow on Mr. Kieran

For a review of Nature Notes by Radioman John Kieran (Information, Please), the Chicago Daily News called on eight-year-old Radiomoppet Gerard Darrow (Quiz Kids). Reviewer Darrow, a naturalist himself, called in his stenographer and dictated the book review of the week. Excerpts:

"Children of around 6 could enjoy this book. It's pretty elementary. The only thing I found out that I didn't know was about how to make feeding stations for hummingbirds. . . .

"If Mr. Kieran writes this book over again, I wish he would put in a little more detailed information. On the hummingbird, for example, I would have said their wings go over 60 times a second, that a lot of people don't know that they are the only birds that can fly backward. . . .

"Or take bumblebees. Mr. Kieran tells that they have long tongues, but he didn't say anything about their stingers and how they can use their stingers more than once. That's important information. . . .

"Here's what's good about Nature Notes: Well, I found it very simple and interesting to read. Mr. Kieran writes very well. And the description of birds is very good."

Reviewer Darrow also thought that "the book should be in colors because it impresses on your mind more and you won't forget. And then Mr. Kieran should have a few blank pages in the back for notes. And if I wrote the book, I would make the cover red and have pictures of birds and animals in bright colors on it. ...

"This book encourages me. I think I will write a book. ... I remember in the movie when Mr. Kieran took the eggplant and put it in his pocket. He looked like the kind of man who would write this book, only he's not so very handsome. But he surely knows a lot. I've never listened to Mr. Kieran on the radio, but judging from the book, I think he would be pretty good on the air."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.