The Fantastic Flying Journey [Hardcover]

Gerald Durrell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1987 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Books for Young Readers

Great-Uncle Lancelot, redoubtable explorer and enthusiastic naturalist, takes his niece and twin nephews on an extraordinary journey around the world, introducing them to a wide variety of animals.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

If Around the World in 80 Days were fused with Dr. Dolittle's ability to talk to the animals, the results might be this book. Great-Uncle Lancelot lands his balloon ship in the Dollybutt children's yard and offers to take them along with him while he searches the world over for his brother Perceval. Emma and her twin brothers, Conrad and Ivan, gladly join the search; Lancelot sprinkles powder on them so that they can communicate with animals and therefore learn something from the journey. Despite Percy's colorful illustrations, the book presents a rather unsuccessful blend of fact and fantasy, and some youngsters may have trouble distinguishing one from the other. And the precious tone of the text may lose all but the most determined readers. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- An old-fashioned book both in concept and execution. The characters, including the gruff but kindly uncle; mischievous twin boys; and a blonde, blue-eyed serious sister, are all stereotypes. The plot--a journey in a fantastic balloon house to search for a lost relative, which leads to landings on all the continents and the subsequent sighting and discussion of the animal life found there--is predictable at best. The aim of this work is commendable--to acquaint children with animals and animal facts through the use of fantasy--but there are so many outstanding nonfiction works on animals that this outmoded format is unnecessary. The copious full-color illustrations are adequate but lack warmth, and the entire work leaves readers wishing for more humor and imagination, as well as good intentions. --Eva Elisabeth Von Ancken, Trinity Pawling School, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 151 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (January 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671649825
• ISBN-13: 978-0671649821
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,180,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book, April 28, 2011

By 

ESM - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Fantastic Flying Journey (Paperback)

The professional reviews for this book hurt a little to read, because as a kid I wasn't looking for an amazing plot twist or superior character complexity--I was looking for adventures, and this book offered them in spades. The very idea of a family going around in a house-balloon was novel, and the creatures they encountered were fantastic and educational. Did I secretly expect a gorilla to begin speaking with me next time we visited the zoo? Yes. Is it an entirely bad thing to have a child hope for a bit of the fantastic in the world? Only if you are a black-hearted scoundrel as are, apparently, the professional reviewers.

This book instilled in me a desire for travel, a respect for creatures apart from humans, and a sense of adventure--the idea that strange and foreign things were to be experienced and cherished rather than feared. The plot was strictly secondary. Are there better books for this educational experience? Are there more technically impressive children's books? I feel sure the answer to both is yes, but neither fact detracts from the merits of this text.

TL;DR - Now I want to live in a balloon with electric eels. Thanks, Mr. Durrell.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My first favorite book!, May 31, 2009

By 

J. E. Mott - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fantastic Flying Journey (Hardcover)

One of my earliest memories of reading is with this marvelous book! I am now twenty-six and remember my father reading this to me when it was first printed. I believe I recieved it as a birthday or christmas gift. I have not seen my copy for years, but with the help of Amazon been able to find the name and author of my beloved first favorite book. I am ordering a copy now! If you want to inspire your childs young mind, this is a great place to start! Even though I couldn't remember the name, the story has stuck with me all these years. I plan on reading it to my children to carry on the tradition!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great "Living" book, September 2, 2004

By 

Eric M. Beaver "peachymomof2" (Lilburn, GA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fantastic Flying Journey (Paperback)

My 7yo son wouldn't let me put this down! This story is about a very exciting journey around the world in a hot air balloon house. It conveys factual geographical and natural history information in such a gentle and extraordinary way. As the kids travel from continent to continent, they encounter many indigenous wildlife and discover interesting facts about them. Great read!