Tools for this page
Print

The Little Island

Book Summary

Reviewed by Patricia Tauzer

As seasons change, days and nights pass, and storms come and go, life changes on the little island, but the little island is steady through it all. One summer day, a kitten sails over with some people on a picnic and spends the day prowling around.

When the kitten belittles the island for being so small and unimportant, the island sends him to a fish who helps him see that, even though the island seems small, it's truly a part of the bigger world.

Is It Any Good?

4

THE LITTLE ISLAND is a beautiful, intriguing book on many levels. The illustrations are remarkable, and so is the simple, profound story. On one hand, it's an engaging, sensitive introduction to nature on a small island in Maine. On the other, it's a lesson in feeling important, no matter how small you appear to be.

This book was published in 1946 under the pseudonym Golden McDonald, actually Margaret Wise Brown, who is better known for her well-loved bedtime book, Goodnight, Moon. That she grew up along Long Island Sound and later lived on the coast of Maine is clearly reflected in the vivid descriptions. While reading about the lobsters, kingfishers, fireflies, and storm-drenched beaches, readers can almost smell the salt and sand, hear the whistling wind, and taste the seam and they can feel the tranquil beauty of the shoreline world. Her friend, illustrator Leonard Weisgard caught her enthusiasm for the Maine coast, which led to his award-winning pictures that he said "grew right up out of the water."

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.