The Little Island (book) facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Margaret Wise Brown, Golden MacDonald, pseud. |
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| Illustrator | Leonard Weisgard |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Publisher | Doubleday |
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Publication date
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1946 |
The Little Island is a beloved children's book. It was written by Margaret Wise Brown. She used a pen name, Golden MacDonald, for this story. The beautiful pictures were drawn by Leonard Weisgard.
The book was first released by Doubleday in 1946. It won a very important award called the Caldecott Medal in 1947. This award is given for the best illustrations in a children's book. The Little Island tells the story of a small island. It shows how the island experiences all four seasons. The writing is like a poem, with lovely descriptions. For example, it says: "Winter came/ and the snow fell softly/ like a great quiet secret in the night/ cold and still."
Contents
What the Story is About
The story follows a small island in the big ocean. We see how the island changes throughout the year.
The Island Through the Seasons
In spring and summer, the island is full of life. Bright flowers bloom everywhere. Seals visit the shores, and many birds fly overhead. The island experiences sunny days and calm nights.
A Curious Visitor
One day, a family comes to the island for a picnic. They bring a small, curious kitten with them. The kitten looks around and thinks the island is tiny. It feels that the island is all alone in the vast ocean.
The Island's Big Secret
The island hears the kitten's thoughts. It tells the kitten that it is not alone. The island explains that it is also a part of the big world. The kitten doesn't believe this. So, the island suggests the kitten ask a fish.
The kitten catches a fish. It demands to know how the island is part of a bigger land. The fish invites the kitten to come down into the water to see. Of course, the kitten cannot do this. The kitten asks for another way to understand.
The fish then tells the kitten a secret. It says, "You will have to take it on faith." This means the kitten must believe what the fish says, even if it cannot see it. The fish explains that "all lands are one land under the sea."
Learning a New Truth
The kitten realizes it has learned a wonderful secret. It loves this new knowledge. The kitten lets the fish go free. Soon after, the family and the kitten leave the island. The island then returns to its peaceful life. It continues to experience the endless cycle of autumn, winter, storms, and calm.
