From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3–The youthful tones in narrator Christina Moore's voice bring new life to the Eleanor Estes' Newbery-honored tales of family life during World War I and the goofy antics of seven-year-old Rufus Moffat and his siblings. Although originally published in 1943, as the last of four titles in the Moffat series, the family's adventures are timeless. Moore wisely lets the amusing stories speak for themselves, keeping her narration understated. Listeners should be prepared to fast forward a bit to the ends of tapes, as the producer chose not to break up chapters across sides A and B or across cassettes. Pop this recording into your car's tape deck for a long family road trip and everyone will be entertained–Jennifer Iserman, Dakota County Library, Burnhaven Branch, Burnsville, MN


Book Description
You've never met anyone quite like Rufus Moffat. He gets things done, but he gets them done his way.
When he wants to check out library books, Rufus teaches himself to write...even though he doesn't yet know how to read. When food is scarce, he plants some special "Rufus beans" that actually grow...despite his digging them up every day to check on them. And Rufus has friends that other people don't even know exist! He discovers the only invisible piano player in town, has his own personal flying horse for a day, and tours town with the Cardboard Boy, his dearest friend-and enemy.
Rufus isn't just the youngest Moffat, he's also the cleverest, the funniest, and the most unforgettable.
Eleanor Estes's beloved Moffats stories are being published in new editions as Odyssey/Harcourt Young Classics. The original interior illustrations have been retained, but handsome new cover art by Tricia Tusa gives the books a fresh, timeless appeal for today's readers.



Card catalog description
The adventures of seven-year-old Rufus Moffat, living with his widowed mother and older siblings including his encounter with an invisible piano player and his attempts at ventroliquism.


About the Author
ELEANOR ESTES (1906-1988), a children's librarian for many years, launched her writing career with the publication of The Moffats in 1941. Two of her books about the Moffats are Newbery Honor Books, as is The Hundred Dresses. She won the Newbery Medal for Ginger Pye in 1952.

ANNOTATION

The adventures of seven-year-old Rufus Moffat, living with his widowed mother and older siblings including his encounter with an invisible piano player and his attempts at ventroliquism.

FROM THE PUBLISHER