• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3

Young woodpecker Pierce has decided he is old enough to venture out and hunt for insects on his own. He will prove to his mother that he is old enough to stretch his wings and be independent and responsible! When he ventures to the forest in search of juicy insects he finds that it isn't going to be as easy as he thought. All of the trees he finds seem perfect —but they already have other animals making their homes there. And Raccoon and Owl and Skunk don't want Pierce hammering holes in their homes in his search for lunch. There has to be some way a smart woodpecker like Pierce can figure out how to get at those tasty insects.

The book includes non-fiction backmatter with more information on woodpeckers and activities for young readers.

Sean Cassidy has written and illustrated a number of titles, including Wake up, Henry Rooster, Gummytoes, a Blue Spruce Award nominee, and Good to be Small, which won the Mr. Christie's Book Award Silver Seal. The Chicken Cat, which marked his debut as a picture book illustrator won both the Mr. Christie's Book Award Gold Seal and the Ruth Schwartz Award. Sean lives near Orangeville, Ontario.

Sean Cassidy's profile page

"The detailed and colourful illustrations will be attractive to young readers. The animals are portrayed with great detail, including the depiction of individual feathers and hair. Each animal displays human-like expressions appropriate to the narrative. The final two pages of the book provide much scientific information about woodpeckers and their environment, along with artistic activities, such as how to draw a woodpecker. A Woodpecker's Tale takes the classic coming-of-age theme and re-purposes it in an attractive format, both in the narrative and the illustrations. The bonus material at the end only adds to its appeal. Highly recommended for all children's book collections.
Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine