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mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
One of those rare children's books in which the main protagonist is not a child. Kerr's book is as lovely as you would expect. Here, she has embellished a tale she was told by her own father and set it in a time of her own youth (if not a little later).
Mister Cleghorn, a retired shopkeeper, finds himself caring for a young seal pup. When he takes him home to his flat, a series of events lead him to make some grand, life-changing decisions. After 37 years, this sees her return to the illustrated novel. Her fading line drawings are lovely and typical of Kerr's style; the one of Mr Cleghorn and Miss Craig hugging is especially enchanting. Kerr's ending here is classic happy ever after but, as often is the way, the reality of death and loss is there, subtly spoken, in the background. A wonderful KS1 book.
Mister Cleghorn, a retired shopkeeper, finds himself caring for a young seal pup. When he takes him home to his flat, a series of events lead him to make some grand, life-changing decisions. After 37 years, this sees her return to the illustrated novel. Her fading line drawings are lovely and typical of Kerr's style; the one of Mr Cleghorn and Miss Craig hugging is especially enchanting. Kerr's ending here is classic happy ever after but, as often is the way, the reality of death and loss is there, subtly spoken, in the background. A wonderful KS1 book.
raoionna's review against another edition
3.0
An early reader book with nice pencil drawings tells the story of a man who nurses a baby seal and buys a zoo.
vickksx's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
likesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
The pencil drawings are mostly beautiful (don't look at the baby!) in this improved version of a true story. I'm pretty sure if I had read the Afterword first I might not have read the book.
A really charming story with a happy ending.
A really charming story with a happy ending.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
3.0
Mister Cleghorn sees an orphan seal on his vacation and brings the seal baby home with him. An if-only story Kerr created based on her father’s real life experience with a seal.
babiafi's review against another edition
5.0
This is a super sweet story about a man who rescues a seal cub - and a whole zoo in the process! The illustrations are lovely, and you can't help but be charmed by the tale, no matter how old you are.
mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
One of those rare children's books in which the main protagonist is not a child. Kerr's book is as lovely as you would expect. Here, she has embellished a tale she was told by her own father and set it in a time of her own youth (if not a little later).
Mister Cleghorn, a retired shopkeeper, finds himself caring for a young seal pup. When he takes him home to his flat, a series of events lead him to make some grand, life-changing decisions. After 37 years, this sees her return to the illustrated novel. Her fading line drawings are lovely and typical of Kerr's style; the one of Mr Cleghorn and Miss Craig hugging is especially enchanting. Kerr's ending here is classic happy ever after but, as often is the way, the reality of death and loss is there, subtly spoken, in the background. A wonderful KS1 book.
Mister Cleghorn, a retired shopkeeper, finds himself caring for a young seal pup. When he takes him home to his flat, a series of events lead him to make some grand, life-changing decisions. After 37 years, this sees her return to the illustrated novel. Her fading line drawings are lovely and typical of Kerr's style; the one of Mr Cleghorn and Miss Craig hugging is especially enchanting. Kerr's ending here is classic happy ever after but, as often is the way, the reality of death and loss is there, subtly spoken, in the background. A wonderful KS1 book.
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