Book cover of The Animal Family

Book description

This is the story of how, one by one, a man found himself a family. Almost nowhere in fiction is there a stranger, dearer, or funnier family -- and the life that the members of The Animal Family live together, there in the wilderness beside the sea, is as extraordinary…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Animal Family as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Not much happens in this light-hearted 1965 children’s book by an award-winning poet.

A solitary hunter befriends (and shares an abode with) a mermaid, a bear, a lynx, and a young boy. They live together, totally unbound by human rules. The hunter teaches human language to the mermaid and learns about the perspective of undersea creatures.

The mermaid is a perfect audience for the animals’ wild antics and the hunter’s strange human habits. She finds it hilarious that the hunter uses a fishing pole to catch fish. (“You look so helpless just sitting there waiting for one,” she says.)

This…

From Alberto's list on contemplating and appreciating laziness.

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Book cover of What Does It Mean to Be American?

What Does It Mean to Be American? by Rana DiOrio,

An engaging picture book for children that celebrates what it means to be American!

What does it mean to be American? Does it mean you like apple pie or fireworks? Not exactly. This patriotic picture book is perfect for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Election Day, or any day you want…

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