Adventure on Klickitat Island [Hardcover]

Hilary Horder Hippely (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up

There's a big storm raging, and the animals of Klickitat Island are left standing out in the open, a sad and bedraggled bunch. But help is on the way, for when a little boy and his teddy bear hear a cry of distress, they quickly take a boat out to the island to see what's the matter. Told in charming verse, this amusing story by Hilary Horder Hippely is a gently humorous tale of bravery, the power of teamwork, and the importance of sharing. Under the little boy's direction, each animal has a role to play in this communal effort: building a Klickitat fort that will keep them all snug and dry. The warm and endearing illustrations by newcomer Barbara Upton will enchant young readers.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Hippely's (The Crimson Ribbon) rhyming four-line stanzas coupled with realistic illustrations by first-time artist Upton chronicle a rainstorm outing. Ensconced in their bed in a house by the sea as a storm rages outside, a boy and his Beary hear faraway cries of distress. "On Klickitat Island/ just think of the rains,/ now soaking the otters/ and poor baby cranes," says the boy. Beary pulls on his raincoat and out the pair goes to row over perilous waves and aid the island animals. Upton's pictures set against a dark blue background and border depict a range of expressions, from the looks of consternation and amazement on the boy's face to the fear and dawning triumph in the eyes of the animals as the boy narrator stands on a tree stump waving his blankie like an aegis and encourages them as they erect a shelter. The more dramatic illustrations occur at the beginning, as readers view lightning stretching across a window and a boat tossing over the sea, whereas the later pages, showing huddled deer, rabbits and otters, grow repetitive. Nonetheless, Hippely's rhythmic first-person tale ends on an upswing, when the sun shines again. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2ATold in verse, this story presents a boy and his stuffed animal, Beary, who leave their cozy bed and take a stormy nighttime journey to help some weeping woodland animals find shelter from the rain. They help the frightened creatures build a large, waterproof lean-to out of sticks and use the "blankie" that they have brought along to cover the floor. Everyone piles in, an otter concocts soup, and all are happy. In the morning, the child and Beary find themselves back in their sunlit bedroom. The blue-bordered watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations of winsome animals, a brave boy, and the blue-and-white quilt are stronger than the forced verse. Children who are timid about wild weather will admire the youngster who brushes off fear in the teeth of the gale; it's too bad the telling isn't more sparkling.ASusan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525452931
• ISBN-13: 978-0525452935
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, August 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Adventure on Klickitat Island (Hardcover)

I must add my voice to the chorus here - this is a wonderful book and one that my children have come to love! It is a ferquent bedtime request and the rhyming words and engaging artwork do their relaxing magic. We love it!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your children will pass this on to future generations, March 4, 1999

By 

Glenn Troester, Publisher, Meeker Herald/Rang... (Meeker, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adventure on Klickitat Island (Hardcover)

When I was a little boy, my big sister gave me an exquisitely illustrated book about a mother bunny who was called upon to deliver a special Easter gift to a dying child living in a remote mountain cabin.

I received the book about 50 years ago, and to this day I vividly recall the highly detailed illustrations and, because of them, I recall the gist of the book as well. I loved that book. And I found myself reading it once in a while until I was nearing my teens. It was just a beautiful book with a beautiful message about courage, altruism, and the responsibility we humans need to have for one another.

I kept the book, and passed it on to my little daughter. She, in turn, has read it repeatedly to my grandchildren.

Barbara Upton has the artistic genius needed to make a book into an heirloom. I don't know that Klickitat will rise to that level, but it might, because the book is very attractive and highly readable. If it fails to become a family treasure, it would be only because the language in the poem would not appeal to children beyond maybe 7 or so (my youngest grandchildren are 8, and they object to the word "blankie" in the poem, for example.) I think a book earns a special place in a person's heart when the book's message says something to "kids" of all ages, in language that does not turn off older children.

I hope a quality book publisher hires Upton to illustrate a real book, with a story line that will appeal both to tykes who can't yet read, and to kids who learned to read years ago, yet pick up the book from time to time simply because its message is still relevant, the language is not obviously geared to toddlers, and the illustrations are appealing unto themselves. All these elements make a mere book into a family treasure.

As I said, Upton has the gift to produce works of art that children will want to carry into their adult lives. I think Klickitat will pass down for a few generations. And I think competent book publishers will recognize Upton's genius for beautiful art, and turn her loose on a big project like my treasured Easter story. Let's hope so, anyway.

If they do, I'll be one of the first in line to buy it.

Glenn Troester, Editor & Publisher Meeker Herald & Rangely Times Meeker Colorado

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just a beautiful book!, January 11, 2001

By 

"pandarach" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adventure on Klickitat Island (Hardcover)

This book is simply a treasure. The story is about a boy and his bear and their blankie, who have an adventure on a dark, stormy night when they help their forest friends build a storm shelter. The rhyming text is very smooth and soothing...it actually slows down my 16-month old and 4 year old! And the illustrations are without a doubt BEAUTIFUL!! This book is requested every night and I'm more than glad to narrate!