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sweetpotatosamm's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Poetic and deep for a baby!
roseleaf24's review against another edition
3.0
This is an odd little chapter book. Abel is a mouse with a trust fund who hasn't ever had to work a day in his life. He gets swept away in a storm and stuck in an island where he learns to do some things for himself. He lives through all the seasons before he is finally able to make his way back home. Fans of Ralph S. Mouse and Stuart Little may enjoy this one.
breakfastgrey's review against another edition
4.0
I ended up digging this one more than I thought I would. It's got a killer mic drop of a last line even if I think Steig went a little softer on the ending than he could've. I would've liked to have seen how his time on the island affected Abel after returning to home. Still, a fun read. (Student Book Club).
bemain's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Cute and inspiring book about a mouse who gets stuck on an island and makes himself a home there, all the while thinking about his lovely wife back home.
johnnymacaroni's review against another edition
3.0
This was OK...I don't think kids today would appreciate it (as it is very introspective) but Abel is very cool mouse! I'm glad I listened to it as opposed to reading it.
bkoser's review against another edition
I’m going to mail a copy of this to Daniel Defoe with the note, “This is how it’s done”
tasharobinson's review against another edition
4.0
I'm on a bit of a run of reading or re-reading William Steig books from childhood. This one always fascinated me because it was nothing like other books I'd read — the protagonist is full of schemes and heroics, and they fail over and over, so in the end, most of the book is just about him surviving day to day, and waiting for things to change. Relatable, especially in quarantine!
This book feels a little like a survivalist manual, especially if you happen to be a well-born, extremely rich and civilized mouse. But it's also strangely philosophical for a kid's book, with Abel coming to terms with the possibility of his own death, dealing with loneliness, learning to appreciate beauty, deciding to make art, engaging in protracted battles with the elements and a predator, and a lot more. Just a really interesting and unusual kids' story.
This book feels a little like a survivalist manual, especially if you happen to be a well-born, extremely rich and civilized mouse. But it's also strangely philosophical for a kid's book, with Abel coming to terms with the possibility of his own death, dealing with loneliness, learning to appreciate beauty, deciding to make art, engaging in protracted battles with the elements and a predator, and a lot more. Just a really interesting and unusual kids' story.
sharon_b's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0