One Morning in Maine facts for kids
Front cover illustration
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| Author | Robert McCloskey |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Robert McCloskey |
| Cover artist | Robert McCloskey |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Published | 1952 The Viking Press |
| Media type | Hardback |
| ISBN | 0-670-52627-4 |
One Morning in Maine is a fun picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey. It takes place in Brooksville, Maine, a beautiful coastal area. This book won the Caldecott Honor in 1953, which is a special award for children's books.
The story is unique because it features Robert McCloskey himself, his wife Peggy, and their two real-life daughters, Sarah (called "Sal") and Jane. McCloskey was a talented artist. He drew his family's faces to look just like them in the book. You'll notice how he shows little Jane as a very adventurous and busy toddler. She's often exploring on her own, climbing, or playing with animals throughout the story.
What Happens in One Morning in Maine?
This book shares a simple, everyday adventure from the McCloskey family's life in Maine. They moved there after World War II. The story begins with Sal, the older daughter, helping her little sister Jane get ready in the morning. They are brushing their teeth.
Sal, who is also the main character in McCloskey's book Blueberries for Sal, discovers she has a loose tooth. She worries that she won't be able to go sailing with her dad. Her mom quickly tells her not to worry.
Later, Sal goes digging for clams with her father. Her loose tooth falls out and disappears in the mud! This means she can't use the tooth to make a wish. Instead, Sal makes her wish while holding a seagull's feather. She thinks a feather is like a bird's tooth because both fall out and new ones grow.
Sal and Jane then go with their father to the mainland in his small boat. Their dad has to row the whole way because the boat's motor isn't working. It has a bad spark plug.
At the local boat shop, a friendly mechanic fixes the motor. Sal gives the old spark plug to Jane. The girls decide the plug is like the motor's "tooth." It's a part that needs to be replaced sometimes. So, Jane uses it to make her own wish.
After finishing his shopping, their dad treats both girls to what they wished for: a big ice cream cone! The story ends with the happy family speeding back home in their boat. The motor is working now, making a foamy path in the calm bay water.
Where Does the Story Take Place?
The story happens at the McCloskey family's summer home. This home is on Scott Island. This island is located off the coast of Little Deer Isle, Maine.
Some of the action also takes place in South Brooksville. This is in a spot called Bucks Harbor. You can still see the buildings that look like the garage and store from the book there today!
