“The Little Island” by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Leonard Weisgard.
Doubleday Book for Young Readers, New York, 1946, 32 pages, K-2.
Everyone needs comforting books at times. Famed author Margaret Wise Brown has written any number of these books. “Goodnight Moon” and “The Runaway Bunny” are two of her important titles.
Another book is “The Little Island,” the winner of the 1946 Caldecott Medal for outstanding illustration. Still in print and frequently checked out, “The Little Island” tells the sensitive story of a small island off the coast, fighting waves and storms, while receiving animal and bird visitors. It is a lovely story.
The Little Island is often shrouded in fog and mist. At times, the waters lap gently on her shores. During these happy times, birds land on the island and crabs walk on her friendly beaches. But times constantly change on the island. Storms may spring up suddenly, making the waters treacherous. When this happens, the island is often abandoned, and she feels lonely.
Fortunately, the weather changes and visitors come again. In the summer, people sail out to the island and enjoy picnics on the beautiful shore. There is so much to see. Sea gulls lay their eggs on the rocky crevices on the island. Seals arrive on their emigration passage and play on the sand and water.
One day, a family sails to the island with their family cat. The kitty jumps off the boat and begins romping on the shore and hills. After running all over the island, the cat realizes the island is completely surrounded by water. The Little Island introduces herself to the cat and soon they are having a friendly conversation. Like all cats, the kitten is interested in everything. The Little Island explains what she is and the kitty tries to figure out who he is and why he is different from the island. But their time together draws to a close. What happens?
What do the island and the kitten learn about themselves and each other? How do they find their place in the world? Why is it okay to be who you are? How do the Little Island and the cat develop this understanding? To find the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this lovely story, “The Little Island” by Margaret Wise Brown.
This is a charming story that could be readily shared within a family. The pictures are comforting, and Brown’s writing is poetic and beautiful. Children will have no trouble identifying with the feelings of the kitten or the island. As they learn about the developing relationship between the island and the cat, they will intuitively understand the quality of love and acceptance.
Besides the developing relationship between the Little Island and the kitten, the author describes nature and the changing seasons with picturesque perception.
As usual, Margaret Wise Brown knocks another one out the park with this Caldecott-winning picture book. As I mentioned earlier, this title is still frequently checked out. After you read and share this innocent story with the younger members of your family, you will understand why. Enjoy!
