Incredible Journey Author:Shelia Burnford Although THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY focuses almost completely on the adventures of three pets (a young Labrador retriever, an elderly bull terrier, and a middle-aged Siamese cat), this story is different from many children's books about animals because the creatures are never overly anthropomorphized or given the ability to speak -- either to hu... more »mans or each other. True and devoted friends, the pets clearly care for each other (and their human companions), but the author takes great pains to present them as animals -- animals that remain true to their natural instincts and behaviors.
The story begins with the pets living with John Longridge, a friend of their human family, the Hunters, because the Hunters have temporarily relocated to England. The animals are treated well by Longridge, but they are unable to ignore their natural instincts, and eventually set out for their original home. As the trio travels the 250 miles of Canadian wilderness that separates Longridge's home from that of the Hunters, they face starvation, illness, and attacks from other animals.« less
This is the one book I completely remember reading in childhood - it was a wonderful story and I highly recommend it to any parent wanting a "clean" and very engaging book for their child - I think age 10 is a perfect age to read this book. I remember I cried, laughed and really felt like I was there.
First publised in the early 1960s this carefully researched account of the actual, dangerous, almost unbeliveable journey of 2 dogs and a cat in search of their family. Considered one of the best animal stories ever written. A perennial favorite.
"I have read The Incredible Journey with much enjoyment. Obviously the author has a great knowledge of animals and a great love for them"
Joy Adamson, author of Born Free
Story: The Hunters had gone to England and so entrusted the animals to John Longridge. One fateful day the animals left without a trace. The animals followed their instincts and the adventure to return home begins. Bodger, the old Bull Terrier, Tao the cat and the Labrador retriever travel through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died...but together they make their way home to the family they love.
This wonderful book formed the basis for the film "Homeward Bound." I'm reading it again before putting on the shelf with my posted books, and you will certainly enjoy reading it before passing it on to a child.
A Siamese cat, an old bull terrier, and a young Labrador retriever travel together 250 miles through the Canadian wilderness to find their family.
Instinct told them that the way home lay to the west. And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siamese set out through the Canadian wilderness. Separately, they would soon have died. But, together, the three house pets faced starvation, exposure, and wild forest animals to make their way home to the family they love. The Incredible Journey is one of the great children's stories of all timeand has been popular ever since its debut in 1961.
