This re-release of Don Freeman’s beautifully colored Come Again, Pelican introduces a new generation of children to the writer of the beloved Corduroy.
A mixture of curiosity, excitement, and consequences, children can learn that things can work out but understand they need to pay attention. It is also great for the admiration of wild animals and that they are special to this Earth.
This classic is newly restored ensuring that the gorgeous colors are crisp and shiny on the page—the beach, sky, and ocean gleam in their own right.
A lesson learned and nature cared for, Come Again Pelican is a great book for children and the child at heart.

Corduroy was my favorite childhood book- and I now read it to my baby! I didn’t know Come Again, Pelican was even a book and it is so cute! We live in Florida on the west coast and it’s perfect to read for bedtime! Such amazing illustrations!

5★
“ ‘I have a feeling I’m going to catch my first fish today,’ said Ty as he pulled on his new wading boots.”

Ty and his parents had just arrived at their usual camping spot, where, while Ty pulls on his bright red wading boots, the grown-ups contend with the trailer and awning.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“Each year they came to this same wind-swept beach for their summer vacation.”

Ty’s parents warned him to stay away from big waves and be sure not to lose his new boots.

He wondered if his pelican friend would still be there, and sure enough, he was waiting on the beach. They chatted to each other, as children and animals do, with Ty making conversation and the pelican looking pleased and squawking appreciatively now and then.

Ty saw sandpipers running up the beach to dig up little sand crabs, and he needed some bait, so he trotted off after them. But he wasn’t quick enough, so he sat down and thought maybe he could run faster without his boots on.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“The pelican waddled over and began squawking as if he were saying, ‘Follow me, follow me!’ ”

So Ty did, leaving his boots in the sand and clambering up to sit on the post the way the pelican does. Suddenly, the pelican took off into the air, flying around in circles.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“…then all at once he dived straight down, beak first— zoop!—“

He returned with a fish, but when Ty clapped his hands and shouted hooray, the pelican bobbed his head at Ty and the fish jumped out! Oh dear. Ty worried that the pelican lost his dinner. The pelican flew off, and as Ty sat and waited for him to come back, he looked down and saw the tide was coming in.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“When Ty looked down you can imagine his surprise at seeing one of his boots drifting by.”

He cast his line out far to try to catch it, but no luck. The second boot was floating closer to him and filling rapidly with water. He brought his line back and dropped his hook where the boot was sinking.

He carefully wiggled and jiggled his line, trying to hook the bootstrap, and when he did, Up came the boot.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“No fisherman could have been happier, because when he looked inside the boot, he saw a silvery fish splashing about.”

He was delighted with the fish, which he put in his pail, but he was worried about his other boot and whether or not he’d see the pelican again.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“He walked along the water’s edge searching for his other boot, but it was nowhere to be found.”

Poor Ty felt sad when his father called him to say supper was ready. Up the dunes he trudged, one bare foot, one boot foot.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“But at the very top, who do you suppose was waiting for him?”

Mr Pelican, of course.

“ ‘Well, Mr. Pelican, I’ve had a busy afternoon,’ said Ty. ‘Where under the sun have you been?’
The pelican just grinned. He didn’t even squawk.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
Then suddenly, he opened his great big bill and there inside was Ty’s other boot!”

Ty knew just how to say thank you.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“ ‘Here’s my first fish and it’s specially for you!’ ”

That evening at supper, when Ty’s parents asked him about his day, he was able to tell them what he had learned. (But he neglected to mention the lost boot or his first fish. Would they have believed him?)

“ ‘Oh, I learned all about the tide,’ Ty said, ‘how it comes and goes and then comes again— just like my pelican friend.’ ”

What a treat! This was written in 1961 and is being re-released in May 2024. I fully expect there to be some nervous parents and some eager little boys and girls, desperate to go the beach alone to go fishing. Wait till mother and father see this chap sitting atop a post out in the water!

It’s delightful. Thanks to #NetGalley for the preview copy of #ComeBackPelican for review from which I’ve shared some quotes and illustrations.

What a cool book. I loved that the illustrations gave it the feel of an old vintage kids' book you might find at an antique store. The story was a simple one of friendship and learning, but very well told.

This is a sweet and funny story, sparing with words and big with illustrations. The small boy, wise pelican and big shoreline are the stars.
I enjoyed the read, which would be suitable for early readers or for parents to read with children. Kids will learn about the shore and tides, and will probably want to read it over again.

I read an e-ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.

This is a story about a boy and a pelican that always comes to visit him. The illustrations are beautiful. I recommend this book.

Don Freeman is no longer living, but his wonderful children’s picture books live on. This book is being rereleased as a restored edition. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this delightful story with elegant color illustrations.I hope today’s children will pick up Don Freeman books and keep his storybook magic alive.

I thank Plough for an advanced reader's copy of this book! The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

My youngest has always loved Corduroy, and I was excited to get my hands on this book. It did not disappoint! The illustrations are fantastic, and the story is great! It was a short and simple story about a child and his connection to nature. I often wonder what animals are thinking when we talk to them. This book involved a conversation with an old and wise pelican. The end of the book made me smile. I think this is a great book to add to a child's library.

A day of fishing turns into a grand adventure for a young boy. As he greets his old friend, the Pelican, he is determined to fish as well as the majestic bird. Instead, he finds himself in a bind as the tide begins to roll in.

What a cute read! I absolutely loved this one!

This book is a reissued classic from Don Freeman, the author and illustrator best known for "Corduroy." I really enjoyed "Come Again, Pelican," with its charming seaside setting and entertaining story. The illustrations are gorgeous, the story has a wonderful sense of atmosphere, and the final twist is cute and funny.

Even though I had never read this book before, it felt familiar in the best way, with the art style and tone that I enjoyed from so many classic picture books during my childhood. I'm glad that this book is now available for a new generation of children, and would highly recommend it.

A joyful exploration of a young boy's day fishing alone by all-star author and artist Don Freeman. Brilliant colors capture the boy's emotions as he sets off in his red waders and fishing pole to capture a fish, hoping to see the pelican along the shore. The pelican, bright and brilliant, demonstrates how to fish and the movement is exquisitely captured on page. The use of alliteration and onomatopoeia provides a natural flow to the beautiful scenes, and it's delightful when the young boy discovers his surprise catch. An exuberant and exciting work for all young children.

What a wonderful book for children. (or really any age) The story is simple and sweet and the illustrations are adorable. I do not have children to buy this for, but I have friends with children or grandchildren and I will be recommending this as a great gift for a child or for them to read to the child.

I only wish the book were available for this Christmas.

Thank you Plough Publishing House and NetGalley for this ARC.