I was born in 1951 and read a children’s book at roughly age 6 – 8. We probably got it from the library.
I have no title, but the book told the story of a boy who changed into a different animal in each chapter to explore what that animal’s world was like. I specifically remember the chapter in which he became an otter.
There were black and white drawings/illustrations at the head of each chapter but otherwise is just text.
Many thanks for your help!
The Sword and the Stone?
Tommy and the Wishing Stone (1915) by Thornton W. Burgess?
“A sulky lad happens across a sitting-stone that unexpectedly grants his wish to become a meadow-mouse. In this wise woodland fable, Tommy experiences life from the point of view of several forest creatures, including a bird, a mink, and a humble toad. In the course of his adventures, Tommy learns that the life of ‘lesser folk of fur and feathers’ isn’t quite what he imagined it to be.”
See Burgess’ bibliography here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornton_Burgess
There’s a later book – The Wishing-Stone Stories – plus two other books with the name “Tommy” in the title.
Burgess also recorded/narrated one album in 1963, plus another album and a single.
Lenona – sorry for the very late reply.
You must be correct, and I just ordered the book from Amazon to be sure.
How did you figure this out?
Great work, thank you very much!
Suzanne