- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Programs and Genres (Oct 31 1996)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0062059041
- ISBN-13: 978-0062059048
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 13.4 x 1.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 227 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #985,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
"Once upon a time, long, long ago, where the forest runs down to the ocean, a hunter lived all alone in a house made of logs he had chopped for himself and shingles he had split for himself." These words ease the reader into the elegant, dreamlike world of Randall Jarrell's Newbery Honor book The Animal Family. One night, the lonely hunter hears the singing of a mermaid, and because "he himself was as patient as an animal," the mermaid learns to trust him, speaking to him in a voice like the water. In time they teach each other their languages, with many amusing exchanges occurring as the hunter tries to teach his new friend terrestrial words and concepts. The hunter explains, "The house is a big wooden thing ... that you stay inside at night or when it rains." "Why?" she asks. "To keep from getting wet." "To keep from getting wet?" the mermaid says despairingly.
The mermaid and the hunter become a family when the hunter takes a bear cub from its mother to live with them as a son. "The bear's table manners were bad. But so were the mermaid's--especially as she couldn't resist throwing the bear pieces of fish." Having a bear around seems perfectly normal, but not quite a complete family, so eventually the hunter captures a spotted baby lynx. When the lynx brings home not another dead partridge, but a little boy, the delicate, playful family dynamics change again. This book of low-key epiphanies is packed with delightful, illuminating, often unexpected comparisons of the ocean world and the land world most non-mermaids wouldn't have considered. Enhanced by a beautiful design and gorgeous illustrations by Maurice Sendak, this book is perfect for any reader--young or old--ready for a bit of gentle philosophy with a decided twinkle. (All ages) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Publishers Weekly
A reprint of the classic 1965 Newbery Honor Book. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
Once upon a time, long, long ago, where the forest runs down to the ocean, a hunter lived all alone in a house made of logs he had chopped for himself and shingles he had split for himself. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Once upon a time, long, long ago, where the forest runs down to the ocean, a hunter lived all alone in a house made of logs he had chopped for himself and shingles he had split for himself. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Becoming a family,
By
This review is from: THE ANIMAL FAMILY (Hardcover)
This is a beautiful story of a lone woodsman who befriends a curious mermaid before long they become a family of two. A bear is added to their family and the family continues to grow. The most pleasing aspect of this book is the characters. They are written without pretense, they are not contrived, they are real and wonderful. Upon conclusion of the first chapter my 3-year-old proclaimed, "this is my favorite story ever." My seven year old has enjoyed it for years - as have I.
5.0 out of 5 stars
magical without predecessor,
By A Customer
This review is from: Animal Family (Hardcover)
This is a book like no other I've read. The most meaningful love story but so gentle and magical it doubles as an unsurpassed and equally magical children's story.
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the most beautiful books ever,
By A Customer
This review is from: Animal Family (Hardcover)
Why this book is not better known is a tragic mystery. The simple, eloquent telling of how a lonely man finds a family is one that is sure to capture adult readers as easily as it will captivate the young. Writing is rarely this good in any book, for any age group.
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