Abel's Island

Steig is triumphant in the quality of his prose The New York Times

Steig's books are like perfect stones, complete in themselves, with no seams to be found Jon Klassen

Abel's Island tells the story of Abel and Amanda, two mice who are blissfully happy. They have been married for over a year and live in a lovely home with nothing to worry about. Until, one summer afternoon, a sudden storm carries off Amanda's scarf. As Abel rushes after it, he too is caught by the wind and swept far away to a deserted island.

Stranded but never defeated, Abel tries everything—constructing bridges, boats, catapults, and stepping stones. But as winter draws in, the brave little mouse must endure hunger, danger, and the ever-present threat of a nasty owl. Against these impossible odds, can Abel find his way back home?

Part of the new Pushkin Children's Classics series of thrilling, magical and inspiring stories from around the world, which young readers will return to time and again.

William Steig (1907-2003) was an American cartoonist, sculptor, illustrator, and writer of children's books. He was also the creator of Shrek!, which inspired the film series of the same name. He was the U.S. nominee for both of the biennial international Hans Christian Andersen Awards, as a children's book illustrator in 1982 and a writer in 1988.