Pagoo [Paperback]

Holling C. Holling (Author), Lucille Webster Holling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 1990 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 940L (What's this?)

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"No one who has ever crouched fascinated over a tide pool, peering into its depths and shallows, can fail to be amazed and delighted by the beautiful pictures of those iridescent wonderlands the Hollings have pictured in Pagoo." The New York Herald-Tribune

About the Author

Born in Jackson County, Michigan, in 1900, Holling Clancy Holling graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1923. He then worked in a taxidermy department of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and spent time working in anthropology under Dr. Ralph Linton. During this period, he married Lucille Webster and within a year of their marriage accepted a position as art instructor on the first University World Cruise, sponsored by New York University. For many years, Holling C. Holling dedicated much of his time and interest to making books for children. Much of the material he used was known to him first hand, and his wife, Lucille, worked with him on many of the illustrations.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; Reprint edition (April 26, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395539641
• ISBN-13: 978-0395539644
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 0.3 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,252 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Jackson County, Michigan, in 1900, Holling Clancy Holling graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1923. He then worked in a taxidermy department of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and spent time working in anthropology under Dr. Ralph Linton. During this period, he married Lucille Webster and within a year of their marriage accepted a position as art instructor on the first University World Cruise, sponsored by New York University. For many years, Holling C. Holling dedicated much of his time and interest to making books for children. Much of the material he used was known to him first hand, and his wife, Lucille, worked with him on many of the illustrations.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pagoo August 8, 2001

By kathleen j. miller

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pagoo is one of my favorite children/science books. Holling Clancy Holling is a wonderful author and created a series of great books for children, as well as adults, you will both learn so much! All of his books take you on a journey or life story of the main character, in this case Pagoo(abbreviated from the correct biological name) is the life story of a hermit crab. I used to read one page a night to my boys, and one page alone is filled with so much information and illustrations you'll see why. I swear both my boys, now young men, have a tremendous sensitivity to the earth and all its creatures and I believe some of this was because of the wonderful perspective Holling Clancy Holling gave them. We read all of his books, but Pagoo, Minn of the Mississippi(a female snapping turtle's tale) and the most famous Paddle to the Sea(the journey of a small wooden Indian in a canoe) were our favorites!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite book from childhood June 7, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Of all the many books I read as a child, this one stands out as the best children's book I encountered. It awakened a keen interest in the biology of the sea that I keep to this day, in the form of scuba diving, fishing, and maintaining a reef aquarium with, yes, hermit crabs! This is just a wonderful book with beautiful illustrations and can awaken a sense of wonder in a child for the natural world that a parent can follow up with a visit to the seashore. This book can make the water come alive and get a child thinking about the life beneath the waves. Don't miss it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Pagoo", makes a lasting impression on children. July 10, 2000

By Kimberly Gouldsmith

Format:Hardcover

It has been too long since I first read Pagoo, but when I found it again I felt the same wonder, and eagerness to know more of Pagoo, and his life. I have read Pagoo to each of my children, and own a small hermit crab because of it. It is a wonderful book, full of detail, and excitement that makes you want to read on.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I still love this book... August 22, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

When I was a young child I enjoyed this book immensely. I read and re-read this book, and then re-read it again. I recently found my dog-eared, falling apart copy of this book. It brought up a lot of nostalgia, and just for grins I read it again. It is still just as good as when I first read it. I was given a small collection of Holling books as a child, but Pagoo was my favorite. It instilled in me a love for sea life, which I followed through exploring the beaches of the Pacific NW, my practically life-long home. This book is wonderful, and I am buying several new copies to pass on to all of my young friends.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Still wonderful after all these years September 12, 2002

By Paul Hagar

Format:Hardcover

I read this book in elementary school and went looking for it again last year as a gift for a niece. The story is wonderful and little Pagoo is a really lovable character. But there's also a lot of fascinating natural detail. And stunning illustrations. It's a children's book version of a top-notch Nature documentary. "Nova" in print, if you will. Also check out Holling Clancy Holling's other books. They're all great, even looking back at them after three decades.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An old favourite August 29, 2000

By Jeff Runyan

Format:Paperback

This was my favourite book over 30 years ago, and I'm glad to see I wasn't alone. The book does a masterful job of combining science education with an engaging fictional storyline.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A family tradition December 16, 1999

By Randy Ralph

Format:Hardcover

In our family it has been a tradition of long standing that each child receives at least one picture book for Christmas. I received "Pagoo" way back in the fifties when it was brand new. It quickly became, and remains, my favorite children's picture book. It may have led to a career interest in marine biology. When we recently found it covered in mildew and rotting away in a place we had hoped would keep it safe for a grandchild I was heartbroken. I was delighted to be able to find it still in print. It will lie under the Christmas tree again this year.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating story of one tiny life in the ocean! October 2, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I am an elementary school teacher and I remember Pagoo from my own childhood. The illustrations and details make this little hermit crab's adventure not only a thrilling story, but also a work of art. I use this book today in my own classroom to talk about themes such as growing up and the life cycles of animals. This is a very old book, but it is among the classics. Buy it for your child's library today!