Amos & Boris (Paperback)

by William Steig (Author, Illustrator) "Amos, a mouse, lived by the ocean..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A simple, matter-of-fact story about friendship. Lovely watercolor pictures and a funny, well-written text which presents its plot coincidences in tongue-in-cheek manner fit together admirably in this faintly Aesopian tale."--Starred, School Library Journal

"There is no question that Steig's affectionately witty pictures and perfectly complementary narration make this a durable picture book friendship."--Kirkus Reviews

"The book is funny and earnest, pellucid and profound."--The New York Times Book Review

"A simple, matter-of-fact story about the friendship between a mouse and a whale. . .Lovely watercolor pictures and a funny, well-written text which presents its plot coincidences in tongue-in-cheek manner fit together admirably in this faintly Aesopian tale." --Starred, School Library Journal
-- Review

"The book is funny and earnest, pellucid and profound." -- The New York Times Book Review

Review

"A simple, matter-of-fact story about friendship. Lovely watercolor pictures and a funny, well-written text which presents its plot coincidences in tongue-in-cheek manner fit together admirably in this faintly Aesopian tale."--Starred, School Library Journal

"There is no question that Steig's affectionately witty pictures and perfectly complementary narration make this a durable picture book friendship."--Kirkus Reviews

"The book is funny and earnest, pellucid and profound."--The New York Times Book Review

"A simple, matter-of-fact story about the friendship between a mouse and a whale. . .Lovely watercolor pictures and a funny, well-written text which presents its plot coincidences in tongue-in-cheek manner fit together admirably in this faintly Aesopian tale." --Starred, School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 32 pages Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 1, 1992) Language: English ISBN-10: 0374403600 ISBN-13: 978-0374403607 Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #196,288 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #21 in  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Steig, William

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Citations (learn more)

61 books cite this book:

• Through the Looking Glass: Further Adventures & Misadventures in the Realm of Children's Literature by Selma G. Lanes on 5 pages
• Grand Conversations: Literature Groups in Action (Grades 2-6) by Ralph Peterson on 4 pages
• The Power of Grammar: Unconventional Approaches to the Conventions of Language by Mary Ehrenworth on 4 pages
• Words About Pictures: The Narrative Art of Children's Picture Books by Perry Nodelman on page 60, page 61, and page 64
• Writing with Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books by Uri Shulevitz on page 101, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

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	85% buy the item featured on this page: Amos & Boris 4.7 out of 5 stars (25) $6.95
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Customer Reviews

25 Reviews 5 star:  (22) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 24 of 24 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars "Bowling along under full sail", October 24, 2001 By  Susan Byers (Willits, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)       This review is from: Amos & Boris (Hardcover) As far as I am concerned, William Steig should be given a Pulitzer Prize for his body of children's literature. I don't think any one author/illustrator has such a catalog of playful, meaningful, generous, witty, profound and literate books for young people. Amos and Boris is a distillation of all the great themes of life: friendship, courage, spiritual ecstacy, the question of an afterlife ("Would his soul go to heaven? Would there be any mice there?"), altruism and love. As weighty as these issues are, they are simply part of the fabric of the wonderful story; there is nothing ponderous or cobbed on, no subtext. Steig's genius lies in his ability to create stories that appeal equally to small children, and to their parents and grandparents -- they ring that true on all levels. The characters in this little book have become a part of my heart, as has William Steig. Don't miss it. 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Profound Story of Friendship, July 6, 2001 By  oddsfish (Winters, TX) - See all my reviews    This review is from: Amos & Boris (Hardcover) I love William Steig's work, and this is one of his best picture books. Steig always fills his books with love and family and friendship and with a love of life. Rarely in any type of literature will you find a book about friendship better than this one. The story of "Amos and Boris" is about a mouse and a whale. When the mouse has an accident in his sailing ship, he is saved by the whale. The two strike up an immediate and deep friendship which will continue though the two are forced to be worlds apart. "Amos and Boris" is a remarkable book for the meaningful lessons it teaches. It is also remarkable for the beautiful prose, the humor, and for the marvelous pictures by Steig. "Amos and Boris" is truly a perfect picture book for children and for adults. 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible book about friendship, January 29, 2002 By A Customer This book is so charming and original and to top it off it is so poignant it almost brought tears to my eyes. The language is lyrical and the story is whimsical yet it explores issues such as lifelong friendship and our interconnectness. The mouse, Amos, heads off to sea and is so overwhelmed by its beauty and the feeling of oneness with creation that he rolls right off his boat and has to be saved by a friendly whale, Boris. Amos hopes he can repay his friend someday although it is hard to imagine how a little mouse could help a big powerful whale. Sure enough Amos will get his moment! This book is great for a range of ages and will delight both parents and children.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Our favorite Steig "Amos and Boris" isn't as celebrated as some other classic Steigs (like "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" or "Brave Irene" or "The Amazing Bone"), and you won't find it on a... Read more Published 1 month ago by K. Magowan 5.0 out of 5 stars My son was touched by this book My six year old son is in first grade this year and a fluent reader. The librarian at school has been helping him find challenging books to read and last week he brought home... Read more Published 8 months ago by T. Sponsler 5.0 out of 5 stars AMOS AND BORIS AN ENDURING FRIENDSHIP MY THREE YEAR OLD GRANDSON IS ENGROSSED WITH THIS BOOK - A TALE OF A VERY ENTERPRISING MOUSE EMBARKING ON A VERY AMBITIOUS JOURNEY IN A LITTLE HOME-MADE BOAT. Read more Published 15 months ago by R. A. Hailes 5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss a chance to share this book ! Steig doesn't need my introduction unless you're discovering him for the first time. If so ... lucky you! Read more Published 18 months ago by Katharine A. Smith 5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful book This is my son's favorite book. It is a wonderful story of a whale who saves the life of a mouse and how the mouse later saves the life of the whale. Read more Published 20 months ago by avid reader 5.0 out of 5 stars A simple tale , with an artfully told message Even a little child can make a difference! This is one of the most empowering concepts for a young child to grasp. Read more Published on May 16, 2007 by Maryellen John 2.0 out of 5 stars Very wordy, disappointing denouement I saw all the positive reviews here, and bought Amos & Boris to read to my two-year-old. I am often disappointed in aspects of the stories in children's books, and having to read... Read more Published on September 19, 2006 by P. Dussin 1.0 out of 5 stars Pretentious and tedious...kids immediately smell it as false The tedious, self-serving prose in this book reads as though the author loves the sound of his own narative voice WAY too much. Read more Published on July 8, 2006 by Kirk Hardcastle 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent childrens book I am actually 28 but I bought this book as it was my favourite book as a child. It is such a lovely story and I would recommend it to all children (and parents). Published on August 22, 2005 by G. Fife 5.0 out of 5 stars True Friendship This is a heart-warming tale of friendship between two unlikely animal characters. The use of animals in a story is classic Steig who delves into a fantasy world and leaves the... Read more Published on March 29, 2005 by Debbie Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374403600
• ISBN-13: 978-0374403607
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #196,288 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #21 in

  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Steig, William

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Bowling along under full sail", October 24, 2001

By	Susan Byers (Willits, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Amos & Boris (Hardcover)

As far as I am concerned, William Steig should be given a Pulitzer Prize for his body of children's literature. I don't think any one author/illustrator has such a catalog of playful, meaningful, generous, witty, profound and literate books for young people. Amos and Boris is a distillation of all the great themes of life: friendship, courage, spiritual ecstacy, the question of an afterlife ("Would his soul go to heaven? Would there be any mice there?"), altruism and love.

As weighty as these issues are, they are simply part of the fabric of the wonderful story; there is nothing ponderous or cobbed on, no subtext. Steig's genius lies in his ability to create stories that appeal equally to small children, and to their parents and grandparents -- they ring that true on all levels.

The characters in this little book have become a part of my heart, as has William Steig. Don't miss it.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound Story of Friendship, July 6, 2001

By	oddsfish (Winters, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amos & Boris (Hardcover)

I love William Steig's work, and this is one of his best picture books. Steig always fills his books with love and family and friendship and with a love of life. Rarely in any type of literature will you find a book about friendship better than this one. The story of "Amos and Boris" is about a mouse and a whale. When the mouse has an accident in his sailing ship, he is saved by the whale. The two strike up an immediate and deep friendship which will continue though the two are forced to be worlds apart. "Amos and Boris" is a remarkable book for the meaningful lessons it teaches. It is also remarkable for the beautiful prose, the humor, and for the marvelous pictures by Steig. "Amos and Boris" is truly a perfect picture book for children and for adults.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible book about friendship, January 29, 2002

By A Customer

This book is so charming and original and to top it off it is so poignant it almost brought tears to my eyes. The language is lyrical and the story is whimsical yet it explores issues such as lifelong friendship and our interconnectness. The mouse, Amos, heads off to sea and is so overwhelmed by its beauty and the feeling of oneness with creation that he rolls right off his boat and has to be saved by a friendly whale, Boris. Amos hopes he can repay his friend someday although it is hard to imagine how a little mouse could help a big powerful whale. Sure enough Amos will get his moment! This book is great for a range of ages and will delight both parents and children.