Baby Island (Paperback)

~ (Author), Helen Sewell (Illustrator) "ON THE night of September twentieth the S.S. Orminta, two weeks outward bound from San Francisco to Australia, was struck by a tropical storm and..." (more)
Key Phrases: Ann Elizabeth, Baby Island, Prince Charley (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When a ferocious storm hits their ship, young Mary and Jean become stranded on a deserted island. They're not the only survivors; with them are four babies. Immediately the sisters set out to make the island a home for themselves and the little ones. A classic tale of courage and dedication from a Newbery Medalist author.

About the Author

Carol Ryrie Brink was the author of many books for young readers, including Caddie Woodlawn's Family, the companion volume to Caddie Woodlawn, and Baby Island.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (October 31, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689717512
• ISBN-13: 978-0689717512
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,555 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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

  #3 in

  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Brink, Carol Ryrie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was immediately captured....., July 24, 2002

By	"[e-mail]" (Marion, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews

At the age of nine, I discovered this delightful book on my mother's book shelf. I was immediately captured, from the very first sentence. "Baby Island" is the story of Jean and Mary, two young sisters who love caring for babies. Marooned on an island while enroute to join their father in Australia, the girls are quite suddenly permanently baby-sitting four babies all on their own, with all the perils and misadventures that can occur to anyone in such a situation. How they manage to survive is both fun and charming in this whimsical and engaging story. As a little girl, I found the story encouraging and inspiring, even though I knew it was not a real situation. The girls "keep your chin up" attitude, and genuine capability, is an excellent lesson for all. This is a book that not only children, but their parents as well can enjoy.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very imaginative and funny, December 19, 2001

By	Elizabeth G. Melillo "gloriana" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I am delighted to see that this well-remembered childhood favourite is in print. I am of a generation where adolescent girls were very likely to be caring for babies, and "little mother" Mary and resourceful Jean are delightful characters.

This is by no means an "adventure" story, where danger lurks and survival requires hardihood - and that is why it is such relaxing entertainment. It is a bit of a spoof, obviously, in that solutions to every problem appear by magic; Jean, sad at losing her one silk dress, is comforted by Mary's picturing how sweet a baby whale would look in it; Mr Peterkin is all but a storybook character; the girls are never troubled by the memory of a shipwreck in which many may have died (the calm Mary merely says to the crew, "Will you please save us?")

It is an imaginative and fun book, half the fantasy of a magical world where whatever one needs appears on the spot, the other a warm look at responsibility and ingenuity.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic from childhood, December 16, 1999

By A Customer

I read this book in 1977 and it is still one of my all-time favorite books. I even talked all of my friends in my second-grade class into reading it, and now I am going to buy myself a copy and a copy for the child of a friend. Mary and Jean are excellent role-models for girls (and boys)-brave, intelligent, resourceful, compassionate. A must-have for a complete childhood collection.