Instinct told them that the way home lay to the west. And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siamese set out through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died. But, together, the three house pets faced starvation, exposure, and wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love. The Incredible Journey is one of the great children's stories of all time--and has been popular ever since its debut in 1961.
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"Captivating! A tale of charm, high drama and some revelations of the love existing between man and beast." — The New York Times
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Instinct told them that the way home lay to the west. And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siamese set out through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died. But, together, the three house pets faced starvation, exposure, and wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love. The Incredible Journey is one of the great children's stories of all time--and has been popular ever since its debut in 1961.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Incredible Journey tells the story of three animal companions - a young Labrador Retriever, an aging Bull Terrier, and a feisty Siamese cat - who embark on a dangerous journey home through the Canadian wilderness. They had been staying with a family friend while their real owners were temporarily residing in Europe, but they lit out for home on their own after their current keeper left for vacation. The plan was for the couple who took care of the house to look after the pets, but fate conspired to make them think Mr. Longridge had taken the animals with him. Thus, as the animals made their way west toward their old home, no one at all knew they were missing.
Sheila Burnford's narrative is surprisingly realistic. Animals can't survive for weeks without food, and the only food available in the Canadian forests in early autumn is other animals. The cat is especially good at snaring warm snacks, and the Lab is capable of chasing something down from time to time - and luckily, both are willing to share with the old Bull Terrier whose age is catching up with him. It's a little sad to read about the demise of so many birds and rodents, but this book describes the animals' captures and kills rather straightforwardly. Of course, the trio also benefits from a few encounters with humans (although the Bull Terrier learns that his charms don't always win over the person on the other side of the door). These make for some emotional passages of their own, but the trio only stay in one place long enough to refresh and recover themselves.
The woods hold many dangers, which the animals could never survive on their own. Indeed, each one of them suffers trials that threaten to end their journey altogether, and the friends are also separated at times. Whatever happens, though, the drive of the young Lab as he leads his friends ever westward toward his image of home overrides individual pains and fears. The commitment and bravery the animals show toward one another in the face of several very real threats is inspiring and heart-warming.
If you love pets or animals in general, this is a really emotional story - not only the ending, but several sections throughout the whole book. The friendship and teamwork of these three very different animals is touching and wonderful to watch and experience. The Incredible Journey is nothing less than a classic that all animal lovers should have in their personal library.
Sheila Burnford's narrative is surprisingly realistic. Animals can't survive for weeks without food, and the only food available in the Canadian forests in early autumn is other animals. The cat is especially good at snaring warm snacks, and the Lab is capable of chasing something down from time to time - and luckily, both are willing to share with the old Bull Terrier whose age is catching up with him. It's a little sad to read about the demise of so many birds and rodents, but this book describes the animals' captures and kills rather straightforwardly. Of course, the trio also benefits from a few encounters with humans (although the Bull Terrier learns that his charms don't always win over the person on the other side of the door). These make for some emotional passages of their own, but the trio only stay in one place long enough to refresh and recover themselves.
The woods hold many dangers, which the animals could never survive on their own. Indeed, each one of them suffers trials that threaten to end their journey altogether, and the friends are also separated at times. Whatever happens, though, the drive of the young Lab as he leads his friends ever westward toward his image of home overrides individual pains and fears. The commitment and bravery the animals show toward one another in the face of several very real threats is inspiring and heart-warming.
If you love pets or animals in general, this is a really emotional story - not only the ending, but several sections throughout the whole book. The friendship and teamwork of these three very different animals is touching and wonderful to watch and experience. The Incredible Journey is nothing less than a classic that all animal lovers should have in their personal library.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Incredible Journey is mandatory reading for all kids and pet lovers. The book is on equal par with other classic animal tales such as Sounder and Old Yeller. It has a good combination of exciting action and emotionally-charged drama. Many young readers will be moved to both tears and cheers.
Through a series of mishaps, a trio of pets--a Labrador retriever, bull terrier, and Siamese cat--are left stranded in a cabin over two hundred miles from home. These three anthropomorphic characters assume the responsibility of saving themselves by journeying home by instinct and foot. What follows is a fantastic series of challenges and accomplishments. Their trek leads them through the north woods where they face wild predators, the elements, starvation, and incomprehensible distance. Along the way they learn lessons of love, loyalty, and perseverance. Wonderfully entertaining. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The book I read is a Weekly Reader Book, hardcover, with a copyright 1960, 1961 with the cover illustration copyright of 1986. The illustrations in the book are done by Carl Burger.
I loved this story since a child after watching the movie on The Wonderful World of Disney and I wanted to read and share the experience with my 6 year old daughter.
You will find yourself wanting to find out what will happen next as the three companions travel through hostile terrain to find their loving family hundreds of miles away.
The word choices are often hard to understand as an adult and my daughter would often ask "what does that mean"? Also she had a hard time keeping straight which dog was which but she did enjoy the book very much.
The last chapter is the best and I almost cried when two of the animals found their owners and then again when the old dog was reunited with his owner after everyone thought he did not survive The Incredible Journey.
I would like to know if this was any way based on a true story. You will enjoy this book very much but it is not a casual read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read to your Grandkids
On of my favorite books of my youth. My grandmother read it to me and I couldn't wait to read it to my grandkids.
Published 2 days ago by Kathryn Marler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for children.
My grandson is enjoying this immensely. It is agood novel to end the school year, which is why I bought it for him.
Published 8 days ago by Skylark Poems
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
This book was great for a 13 year old. It had plenty of suspense and adventure and no violence which was great.
Published 1 month ago by Jenna Caldiero
5.0 out of 5 stars
The incredible journey
Dog are cute same with cats
Bob the builder is stupid
I hate my brother and my oldest brother
Hi bob
Bob the builder is stupid
I hate my brother and my oldest brother
Hi bob
Published 1 month ago by david
stubblefield
4.0 out of 5 stars
A children's classic
"The Incredible Journey" is a children's classic that endures.
I last read "The Incredible Journey" about 1962 or 1963. Read more
I last read "The Incredible Journey" about 1962 or 1963. Read more
Published 1 month ago by James Denny
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good
I liked the book but it was too short for me.... maybe if it was 500 pages or somewhere around that
Published 2 months ago by Tosh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
I thought this book was so heartfelt. This by far is the best book that I ever read. Love it!!!
Published 3 months ago by Gabrielle Drillis
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read!
I bought this book for my fourth grader. It was on his reading list. He LOVED it!!! Fun story for kids!
Published 3 months ago by Erica
2.0 out of 5 stars
The incredible book
Awesome book 5 stars cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool cool and more cool cool cool cool
Published 3 months ago by Karen Shields
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Incredible Journey Review
This book was ok I kind of liked and kind of not. And this was the only one I gave a 3 star and less.
Published 3 months ago by Faith Clinton
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