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Cover of The Little Island

The Little Island

by Margaret Wise Brown

Book Details

Publisher:Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Published:2003-09-09
Pages:49
Format:BOOK
Language:en
ISBN:9780385746403

Reading Info

Age Range:6-10

About This Book

Children’s book legend Margaret Wise Brown—author of the cherished classic Goodnight Moon—and Caldecott Medal-winner Leonard Weisgard bring young readers an enduring picture book about the magic of nature. Winner of the 1947 Caldecott Medal, this beautifully moving story centers around a little island in the midst of the wide ocean, and the curious kitten who comes to visit. As the seasons pass, the island and the creatures who call it home witness an ever-changing array of sights, smells, and s

Our Review

This gentle picture book explores the wonders of nature through the perspective of a small island surrounded by ocean, where a visiting kitten discovers the interconnectedness of all living things. As seasons change from spring blossoms to winter snow, children witness how the island provides shelter for diverse creatures while remaining steadfast in the vast sea. The lyrical prose captures the rhythm of nature's cycles with sensory details that make the island's world feel immediate and magical. This nature exploration offers young readers a comforting perspective on how even small places hold important roles in our world's ecosystem.

Margaret Wise Brown's poetic language pairs beautifully with Leonard Weisgard's Caldecott Medal-winning illustrations, which capture both the island's changing moods and the kitten's wide-eyed wonder. The story thoughtfully introduces ecological concepts about habitats and interdependence without ever feeling didactic, making complex ideas accessible through simple, concrete observations. Children who enjoy quiet, contemplative stories will find themselves returning to this timeless tale that celebrates curiosity and our connection to the natural world. The book's meditative pace and reassuring themes make it an ideal bedtime read that lingers in the imagination long after the final page.

Themes

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

Juvenile Fiction