Baby Island

Rating:
Summary: Two young girls cope with shipwreck, babies, a grumpy hermit
Review: This book is a great story of two great women-in-the-making. Shipwrecked and alone, young Scots Mary and Jean are unfailingly clever at finding food, water, shelter, and just about everything else they need for the babies whose lives they save, and the grumpy old hermit whose life they rescue. At the same time, they are real girls - singing, playing, crying, praying, and taking care of each other. Read this book to sons and daughters both for examples of strong, brave children, and read it yourself for a laugh and nostalgic look back at childhood.I've been looking for Baby Island for 25 years and am thrilled to find it again!

Rating:
Summary: Fantasy Island, but Lots of Fun
Review: This fun book comes from Carol Ryrie Brink, the author who brought us Caddie Woodlawn, and while shorter and not quite up to the standards set by that great book, is one that kids are sure to enjoy.
Written in 1937 it tells the tale of two girls, 12 year old Mary and her younger sister Jean, who rescue four babies and end up floating alone with them in a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean when the steamliner they are sailing on begins to sink. The quick thinking and good sense of the girls pulls them through when they run aground on a small deserted tropical island. This book was written in a "kinder, gentler" time than our own and thank goodness because the children do not experience anything traumatic or terribly frightening. They mostly exhibit plucky courage and try to do things properly with their little charges, one infant and three active toddlers. There is plenty of humor and adventure in the book, but not much realism. They easily find clean water, food and shelter, but this isn't a reality show it's a children's fantasy. The childcare methods have changed somewhat over the years and that makes the story seem rather quaint, but I found that all the more endearing. The girls insist upon having a church service every Sunday even though that only consists of singing hymns and reciting the 23rd Psalm, the only Bible passage they know by heart. Again, this is quaint but interesting and sweet. I think most modern day children will love the story and enjoy imagining what they would do under similar circumstances. This is not much like other "deserted island" stories such as Swiss Family Robinson, Robinson Crusoe or even Island of the Blue Dolphins in terms of action, but it is similar to those in its ability to transport and to kindle the imagination. Check it out.