The Journey Home [Hardcover]

Alison Lester (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Wild and Woolly, brother and sister, dig through sand until they reach the North Pole and then begin a long journey home through many magical kingdoms.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After they dig a deep hole in their sandbox and fall through to the North Pole, Wild and Woolly begin their adventure-filled journey home. Along the way, the brother and sister are guests at the homes of some luminaries most youngsters would love to visit: Father Christmas; the Good Fairy; Prince Charming; a beautiful mermaid; a Pirate King and a Gypsy Queen. Lester's ( Imagine ; Clive Eats Alligators ) inventiveness and attention to detail are evident in both her text and pictures. In Father Christmas's cozy cottage, toys are stacked neatly on shelves and reindeer peer in the window, as the gracious host serves roast turkey and plum pudding to the travelers--and to a gaggle of elves. Wild and Woolly sleep in "beds as soft as clouds" in the Good Fairy's treehouse, where supper is angel cakes and sugar kisses. Young readers will relish making this journey--and many return trips. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Brother and sister Wild and Woolly dig such a deep hole in the ground that they fall in and end up at the North Pole. While making their journey home, they visit the houses of Father Christmas, the Good Fairy, Prince Charming, a mermaid, a pirate king, and a Gypsy Queen. In spite of the many interesting people they meet, the siblings are happy to come across a familiar house--their own. Lester's cartoonlike watercolor drawings, outlined in ink, are a perfect accompaniment to the story. They truly capture the whimsical feeling of the lighthearted text. The language itself follows a comfortable rhythm and flows smoothly. As Wild and Woolly meet each character, they are invited to "come inside and stay," where they experience things most children dream about. A delightful book, sure to make any child's imagination go wild. --Rachel Fox, Port Washington Pub . Lib . , NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books (April 29, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395533554
• ISBN-13: 978-0395533550
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,265,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical Adventure story, January 31, 2010

By 

elanorh "secondseven" (Sheridan, WY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Journey Home (Paperback)

This is a fun, whimsical book for kids. It's about a journey that a brother and sister take from the North Pole home - they encounter "Father Christmas," a pirate, Prince Charming, a mermaid, and more - lilting rhymes, nicely illustrated, and imaginative.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic journey for all, October 10, 2005

By 

Paula Gorlitz "az" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Journey Home (Hardcover)

As an adult, The Journey Home remains one of my absolute favorite books of all time, capturing a brother and sister's incredible travels through all magical elements of life. I reread it now and fall in love all over again.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A YOUNG FOODY'S FANTASY TRIP, January 31, 2001

By 

"hurburgh" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journey Home (Paperback)

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Alison Lester's books capture the innocence of childhood. It's not a saccharine world though. We see a spirit of adventure and at times there is mischievous fun to be had.

When two children have names like Wild and Woolly (we suspect brother and sister) we can anticipate something out of the ordinary will happen.

Every child's fantasy is realized when they dig a hole in their sandpit and fall through it to the North Pole. Their dog (who remains nameless) comes along too.

We all know who lives at the North Pole and it just happens to be Christmas. Turkey and Christmas Pudding are on the menu. They enjoy the feast and its time for bed,

The next day they continue their trek. They visit all the famous fairy tale characters and at each of their houses they are welcomed with generous hospitality, and given a magnificent feast.

Each day they arrive at a new place. Their itinerary (and menu) included angel cakes and sugar kisses at the Good Fairy's, royal trifle and rhubarb fool at Prince Charming's, sea-grapes at the Little Mermaid's, salami sausage and pickled cucumbers at the Pirate King's and goulash and dumplings at the Gipsy Queen's.

After all these feasts they eventually find their way home. Before bed, of course it's time for a big mug of hot chocolate.