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katykelly's review
4.0
What a great find. Very sad that this is the last of Ibbotsen's books we'll get, but a very sweet story with some unusual heroes. Hope it's popular.
hayleybeale's review
3.0
I'd be interested to know how much of this was Eva Ibbotson and how much was completed after her death. For me, this story of a yeti family lacked some of the lightness of touch and charm of other Ibbotson books that I've read. While themes of conservation, animal rights and kid power are familiar, I found some of the episodes rather heavyhandedly didactic and even a little silly. The good are very very good and the bad are completely horrid, and I'm sure her previous books had a little more light and shade. There seems little in the way of character development and I found Fiona Robinson's illustrations rather charmless which didn't help (though I did read an ARC, so maybe they're better in the published book). Having said all that, I think it would make a good readaloud and I found myself quite caught up in the narrative once the yetis arrive in England.
onceuponacarm's review
3.0
A family of yetis is raised and civilized in a Himalayan valley, but when their governess is too old to care for them much longer and tourism threatens their way of life, they depart for England in hopes of finding a new home. Con and Ellen, two siblings enlisted to help with their move, along with a truck driver, try to keep the yetis a secret while traveling through the Middle East and Europe. These yetis, Lucy, Ambrose, Clarence, Uncle Otto, and Grandma are super compassionate, affectionate, and kind. They can't stand to see another in pain or in danger, such as the poor animals locked up in a zoo, bulls killed in a bullfight, etc. They're also pretty funny. This is a fun story to share as a read-aloud (to a class or at home before bed) or for independent readers who love animals, silliness, and adventure.
Personal review--it kinda felt like the author just kept cramming in one mishap after another, dragging out the voyage, which is not the kind of story that keeps my attention. This probably won't satisfy readers who prefer well-developed characters and complex plots, though there is lots to discuss surrounding treatment of animals, what it means to be different, immigration, and how to be a friend.
Personal review--it kinda felt like the author just kept cramming in one mishap after another, dragging out the voyage, which is not the kind of story that keeps my attention. This probably won't satisfy readers who prefer well-developed characters and complex plots, though there is lots to discuss surrounding treatment of animals, what it means to be different, immigration, and how to be a friend.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review
3.0
It's a kids book, didactic about animal preservation but no problem with drinking, also serving is by female characters but I'm sure children will enjoy the adventure.
saidtheraina's review
4.0
Sasquatches are so cool.
This is a quirky take on the Bigfoot/AbominableSnowpeople/Yeti/Sasquatch stories, with a very British sensibility.
In this case, the Abominables are adorable and guileless and sweet and totally harmless when you get to know them. But human hunters are cruel and terrible and just want to hurt them! So, it's up to a small band of humans to rescue the sweet creatures.
Read it in less than a day (on vacation) and took it out to local elementary schools for the SRP. Bigfoots are always a great hook, and the kids loved noticing the backwards feet on this cover.
A great little hooky literary title. Not what I'd call essential, but definitely serviceable. Plus, there's a great road trip.
This is a quirky take on the Bigfoot/AbominableSnowpeople/Yeti/Sasquatch stories, with a very British sensibility.
In this case, the Abominables are adorable and guileless and sweet and totally harmless when you get to know them. But human hunters are cruel and terrible and just want to hurt them! So, it's up to a small band of humans to rescue the sweet creatures.
Read it in less than a day (on vacation) and took it out to local elementary schools for the SRP. Bigfoots are always a great hook, and the kids loved noticing the backwards feet on this cover.
A great little hooky literary title. Not what I'd call essential, but definitely serviceable. Plus, there's a great road trip.
lindageorge's review
4.0
Loved this book! Only Ibbotson could make us care this much about the crazy Yeti family, full of human foibles as they travel to find a safe haven. This book was funny, tender, and smart.
luweebayy's review
3.5
For a childrens book, I enjoyed this. It’s younger than I would normally read and enjoy, but I liked the yetis different characters and personalities!
theladydoor's review
4.0
I was very saddened to read on this book jacket that Eva Ibbotson had died in 2010, and this was going to be her last novel. I've read nearly all of her works, and loved every single one I've read. This book is no exception.
The titular Abominables are a family of Yeti. There's a father, three lovely if bumbling children, a crotchety grandmother, and a shy but brilliant uncle. When the three children lose their mother, Father kidnaps a young girl, Agatha, to care for them. She does a wonderful job, teaching and loving Ambrose, Clarence, and Lucy as if they were her own. 100 years pass, and Agatha starts to realize she can no longer keep the Yeti in their lovely mountain home, as she is growing old, and the tourism of the Himalayas is becoming a threat. With the help of siblings Con and Ellen, she hatches a plan to remove them to her ancestral home in England. Many fun adventures ensue, and the little crew encounters grave dangers along the way, but the ending is still extremely heartwarming.
I loved this last novel of Ibbotson's, and I am incredibly sad that there are no more to come.
The titular Abominables are a family of Yeti. There's a father, three lovely if bumbling children, a crotchety grandmother, and a shy but brilliant uncle. When the three children lose their mother, Father kidnaps a young girl, Agatha, to care for them. She does a wonderful job, teaching and loving Ambrose, Clarence, and Lucy as if they were her own. 100 years pass, and Agatha starts to realize she can no longer keep the Yeti in their lovely mountain home, as she is growing old, and the tourism of the Himalayas is becoming a threat. With the help of siblings Con and Ellen, she hatches a plan to remove them to her ancestral home in England. Many fun adventures ensue, and the little crew encounters grave dangers along the way, but the ending is still extremely heartwarming.
I loved this last novel of Ibbotson's, and I am incredibly sad that there are no more to come.
chrissireads's review
3.0
The Abominables are Yetis who have been undiscovered in the Himalayas for centuries. Lord Farlingham takes his daughter Agatha on an expedition. The story begins with Agatha being kidnapped from her tent. Agatha is scared to begin with, but she soon realises that she has nothing to fear. She decides to stay and care for the Abominable Snowmen that have taken her! The creatures in this story aren’t scary at all. They’re incredibly endearing and its easy to see why Agatha made the decision she did to care for them. The story goes on to explore how our human world treats animals. It’s interesting to read between the lines and recognise the message The Abominables brings with it.
The story isn’t perfect, but it’s sweet and fairy-tale esque. I’m glad that I read it!
The story isn’t perfect, but it’s sweet and fairy-tale esque. I’m glad that I read it!