Abel's Island facts for kids
1976 edition cover
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| Author | William Steig |
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| Illustrator | William Steig |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
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Publication date
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1976 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 128 |
| ISBN | 978-0-374-30010-4 |
| OCLC | 1859788 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S8177 Ab |
Abel's Island is an exciting children's novel written and illustrated by William Steig. It was published in 1976 and later won a special award called a Newbery Honor. This book tells the amazing story of a mouse who gets stuck on an island and has to learn how to survive all by himself.
Contents
What's the Story About?
The story takes place in a make-believe town called Mossville. Here, animals like mice, rabbits, and frogs act like humans. They wear clothes, go to picnics, and live in houses. This is called being anthropomorphic.
Abel's Unexpected Adventure
The main character is a mouse named Abel. One day, he's enjoying a lovely picnic with his wife, Amanda. Suddenly, a huge rainstorm hits! They quickly find shelter in a nearby cave.
During the storm, Amanda's scarf blows away. Abel bravely goes out to get it back for her. But the strong wind and rain sweep him into a rushing river. He is carried far downstream until he lands on a small island.
Life on the Island
Abel tries many times to escape the island, but he can't. He soon realizes he must learn to survive there alone. He finds a log and makes it his home, especially for the cold winter. To feel less lonely, he even makes a "family" out of clay and talks to them. Abel faces many tough challenges, like fighting off an owl and surviving a very harsh winter.
A Friend and a Way Home
Later, another animal, a frog named Gower, also gets stranded on the island. He and Abel become friends. Gower eventually leaves, promising to send help for Abel once he gets home.
However, weeks pass, and no one comes. Abel isn't sure if Gower forgot or if he never made it back. So, Abel decides to try swimming against the river himself. The water level has dropped, making it possible. After a very difficult journey, Abel finally makes it back to Mossville and reunites with his wife.
Animated Movie
In 1988, Abel's Island was turned into a 30-minute animated film. It was directed by Michael Sporn. Famous actors lent their voices to the characters: Tim Curry voiced Abel, and Lionel Jeffries voiced Gower. In 1989, the movie won an Emmy Award for being the Most Outstanding Animated Film under an hour.
Where Does the Story Happen?
The story has two main places:
- Mossville: This is a made-up town where small swamp and forest animals live and act like people.
- The Island: This is the island where Abel gets stuck. It's in front of a waterfall. Abel guesses it's about "12,000 mouse tails long and 5,000 mouse tails wide."
Important Ideas in the Book
Abel's Island explores several important ideas:
Survival Skills
At first, Abel just wants to escape the island. But soon, he has to focus on finding food and shelter. He also needs to be careful of dangerous animals. The book shows how he learns to live off the land.
Learning and Changing
When the story begins, Abel lives a very easy life and doesn't have to work hard. Being stranded on the island forces him to change. He learns to be strong and rely on himself in new ways.
The Power of Love
Abel often thinks about his wife, Amanda. He holds onto the hope of seeing her again. Even though his own clothes get dirty and torn, he carefully protects Amanda's scarf. He keeps it safe until he can finally return it to her.
