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Abel's Island facts for kids

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Abel's Island
Abel's Island cover.jpg
1976 edition cover
Author William Steig
Illustrator William Steig
Country United States
Language English
Genre Children's novel
Publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date
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.

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.

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