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The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
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The Incredible Journey (original 1961; edition 1961)

by Sheila Burnford (Author), Carl Burger (Illustrator)

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5,656721,786 (3.88)137
Last night I felt like a comfort read, so I pulled this favorite off the shelves and took a trip back to my childhood.

This story of three pets heading home across the Canadian wilderness is an engaging tale for all ages. It works well as an adult read: I appreciated more of the descriptive passages that I'd not noticed with previous readings. Never boring or unbelievable, this story grabs the heart as well as any book I've read. ( )
  fuzzi | Sep 9, 2019 |
English (68)  Swedish (1)  Dutch (1)  All languages (70)
Showing 1-25 of 68 (next | show all)
Három állat – két kutya és egy macska – útnak indul a kanadai rengetegben. Háromszáz mérföldet tesznek meg ember nem járta erdőségeken, mocsarakon, megáradt folyón keresztül, vadállatok között, hogy szeretett gazdáikhoz hazatérjenek. Életveszélyes kalandokba keverednek, de leleményességük, bátorságuk és összetartozásuk átsegíti őket minden akadályon. Történetüket huszonegy nyelvre lefordították és Walt Disney filmet készített belőle.
  Tompowsky | Mar 4, 2024 |
A nice fiction adventure for young readers ( )
  WISEZambia | May 9, 2023 |
Pacific Northwest Young Reader’s Choice Award Winner

William Allen White Award Winner

Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Winner

Reading Age: 8-11 years ( )
  lwensel | May 4, 2023 |
Grades: 4th
Awards: Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award and the American Library Association Aurianne Award in 1963
  hanleemo | May 2, 2023 |
51173
  WBCLIB | Feb 27, 2023 |
I figure, like a lot of 90s kids, I saw the movie Homeward Bound somewhere in the vicinity of a million times. I hadn't realized it was based off of a book (or a remake of another movie, for that matter), and I wish I'd read the book as a child. At this point the movie is a little too ingrained, and I don't know how unbiased I can be. Where are the Don Ameche, Sally Field, and Michael J. Fox voiceovers?

I don't think I can truly consider this book on its own without looking at the differences from the movie. It's unfair, but here goes. There's certainly very little light-heartedness here. The plot gets pretty dark and somewhat gruesome at times. Probably more of an honest look at survival, I imagine. (Though I didn't think it was particularly fair that the trio can kill animals for food, as can the humans, but a lynx is "evil" if it tries to.)

I also had a hard time developing an attachment for the three main animals at first. There's no real rapport built before they take off on their journey, so their adventures start without being invested in their safety. I actually had some disdain for Bodger at first (here he's the old Bull Terrier), though that did vanish entirely by the end of the book. And I'm still fairly indifferent toward Luath (the young Labrador).

However, the cat (in this, a male Siamese named Tao) made up for every qualm I had. He was SUCH a badass and WAY better than the movie version. I have no idea how the prissy Sassy was spawned from Tao, but, for me, Tao stole the show. What a pleasant surprise. ( )
  Allyoopsi | Jun 22, 2022 |
Independent Reading Level: Grade 4
Awards Given: Aurianne Award (1963)
  SteviePearce | May 2, 2022 |
I’m revisiting some older loves, including childhood favourites, and remember devouring this book as a child. I freely admit I went through a phase of reading almost nothing but animal adventures, including this understandable classic. Although the references to using dogs as gun dogs were something I had to set aside then as much as now, the overall story of three animals overcoming adversity to reach home is one that touches many animal lovers, and remains unforgettable. ( )
  SharonMariaBidwell | Mar 24, 2022 |
I have always loved classic children's literature and have read much of it. I especially love the classics that have animals in them. This particular book is one of my favorites and I think it is equally good when you it as an adult or as a child. The characters are engaging and realistic and the story draws you in. It is also equally good as an audiobook. ( )
  KateKat11 | Sep 24, 2021 |
[The Incredible Journey] is a children's literature classic and childhood favorite of mine; first published in 1960, it became a bestseller with 11 printings through 1962, and a 20th printing by the time of my 1969 illustrated edition. I was pleased that I remembered key plot points after 30+ years.

This is the story of a young trained-hunter golden retriever leading his companions--an elderly English bulldog and consummate hunter indoor-outdoor Siamese cat--300 miles across northwestern Ontario back to their family home. Through a concatenation of coincidences, their departure from the pet-sitter's home isn't discovered until weeks later; the first two and last two chapters are from the pet-sitter's perspective, while the bulk of the story follows the animals on their journey and their encounters with assorted humans and animals. When I was a child, I loved realistic animal-centered fiction, including this, Kjelgaard's [Big Red] books, Walter Farley's horse books (especially when few people appeared, such as [The Black Stallion and Flame]), John L. George's [American Woodland Tales] series, and the like. This story stands the test of time. ( )
  justchris | Feb 1, 2021 |
No matter how old I get or how many times I revisit this story, it never gets old and I always cry. I adore this story. ( )
  book_lady15 | Apr 3, 2020 |
Last night I felt like a comfort read, so I pulled this favorite off the shelves and took a trip back to my childhood.

This story of three pets heading home across the Canadian wilderness is an engaging tale for all ages. It works well as an adult read: I appreciated more of the descriptive passages that I'd not noticed with previous readings. Never boring or unbelievable, this story grabs the heart as well as any book I've read. ( )
  fuzzi | Sep 9, 2019 |
Luath the young Labrador, Bodger the old English bull terrier and Tao the Siamese cat set out on a long 300 mile trek home through the Canadian wilderness.

This book was a real treat. I've only ever seen 'Homeword Bound: The Incredible Journey', the remake of the original adaption with talking animals, but the basic plot and encounters were essentially the same. The movie was just a touch more melodramatic. Just a touch. This book blows that beloved-by-little-me classic out of the water though. Even knowing how it all was going to turn out didn't stop me from tearing up at the end, I know, how sentimental of me. Related to that: if I had read this when I was little I would have been bothered by how sad and lonely the little girl who rescues Tao out of the river was; send that girl a kitten! The old man in the woods on the other hand, he seemed to be doing just fine. Child logic.

Kids familiar with anthropomorphized everything and expecting catch phrases might not pick this up as easily, but the persuasion needed is worth it.

I couldn't stop myself from thinking of Tao as Sassy though. ( )
  ManWithAnAgenda | Feb 18, 2019 |
One of the last read alouds with my students. This book is a great book to show students about relationships, perseverance, and survival. The pets have their own relationships within each other, but their relationship with their owners is what drives them across the Canadian wilderness. ( )
  mandieh | Jan 16, 2019 |
Digital audio book read by Megan Follows

Three beloved family pets – a young Labrador, an aged bull terrier, and a Siamese cat – head home across 300 miles of wooded and mostly uninhabited territory in Ontario, Canada.

This is a wonderful tale of adventure, friendship, loyalty, teamwork, and kindness. The animals face considerable danger, fight bravely, work together to survive, are fortunate to find a few kind people to help them along, are sometimes separated, but continue with a sense of purpose.

I saw the original Disney movie when I was a child and read the book at about that same time. I’m glad I revisited it now. The text copy is illustrated at the beginning of each chapter with drawings by Carl Burger.

Megan Follows does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She has clear diction and imbues the work with the drama and tenderness appropriate to various scenes. I especially liked her interpretation of the more dangerous episodes – the flood and the bear attack, for example. My one complaint about the audio is the cheesy dramatic music. It really irritated me, but I imagine it would add much to a child’s experience listening to the story. ( )
  BookConcierge | Oct 30, 2018 |
This book is told through the perspective of three pets who have been separated from their owners. The three domesticated pets, two dogs and a cat, travel across Canada to join their owners who have moved. As readers continue through the story, the pets encounter a number of natural predators. The pets must work together and must use their natural instincts for survival. Because this story is told through the perspective of animals, it may not interest more mature 6th graders. This book is particularly appropriate for students in grade 4 or 5 who enjoy adventure and survival plot lines.
  jstrecker | Jun 28, 2016 |
The story of how two dogs and a cat join forces to survive and manage to travel all the way to their masters. A good children's book that models loyalty, cooperation and perseverance. ( )
  dbsovereign | Jan 26, 2016 |
I really liked this book, but its often patriarchal roles date it heavily. ( )
  amlohf | Jan 18, 2016 |
I am glad I finally got to read this classic Canadian animal story. I was captivated by Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey as a child, and only recently found out that movie was a remake of The Incredible Journey from the 60s, which in turn was based on a book from the 60s. The animals are a little different but the overall story is the same. But the best thing about this book is the emotional vigour of the story, and they don't make the animals talk or read their minds, but you really know what they are thinking and feeling. It was a great story and I'm glad I got a chance to read it. ( )
  loewen | Jan 9, 2016 |
The nostalgia trip continues with one of my all-time favorite books.

Seriously, what's not to love about The Incredible Journey? It's a well written story about a pair of dogs and a cat who decide to find their way home after seizing an opportunity presented by the man looking after them while their owners are abroad. The characterizations of the three animals make you care about them as individuals, not just as cuddly pets, although there's that aspect as well, along with harrowing adventure as the three make their way westward and towards their home.

Touching and heartwarming, and just a fantastic story. ( )
  regularguy5mb | Aug 16, 2015 |
While Jim Hunter and his family are in England, John Longridge is taking care of Luath a young Labrador, Bodger an old Bull Terrier and Toa a Siamese cat. John goes on a trip with his brother and leave the three animals in the care of Mrs. Oakes. John leaves a note for Mrs. Oakes but part of the notes lands in the fireplace leaving Mrs. Oakes to think that John took the pets with him. The animals begin a 200 mile journey through the Canadian wilderness to reunite with the Hunter family. During their journey the animals face starvation, the coldness of the wilderness, encounter wild animals, become injured and separated. In the end all the animals are reunited with each other and with the Hunter family.
  APatricia | May 26, 2015 |
I recall this book from my childhood and the strong impact it had on me as a reader. It is a book that i do not often recommend to my students and I am not really sure why. I haven’t read the book in years, but felt that it needed to be on my list since it moved me so as a young reader. Students like that it is an animal adventure and that it truly is amazing to see the loyalty and strength the 3 animals have. It is also a sad, but I might need to revisit this with my fourth graders. ( )
  Taranto | Dec 2, 2014 |
Three pets, two dogs and a cat, head for home across the Canadian wilderness. Wow. Fabulous adventure story. Attacked by bears. Almost drowned in a river. Nearly starving. Shot at. Taken in for the night by a zany loner. Befriended by some empty-nesters. Walking through snow. Fantastic story! Quite deserving of the title. ( )
  debnance | Nov 2, 2014 |
Pets on a road trip. Unlike 'Animal Farm', their aim is to return to human overlordship. Paean to the worthy simplicity of animals - loyalty, camaraderie, purpose. The expansive Canadian outdoors is the other lead character, also fondly portrayed. ( )
  eglinton | Jul 17, 2014 |
This book tells the tale of three house pets who leave home to venture across Canada to find their owner, John. There is Tao, a smart and regal Siamese cat, an elderly English Bull Terrier, and a young Golden Retriever. John assumes that they are safe at home with the kind lady who has offered to care for them, Mrs. Oakes. Mrs. Oakes thinks that John took the sweet animals with him on his trip. Thus, begins the incredible journey where these animals encounter dangerous situations such as the wilderness, wild animal confrontations, starvation. Not to mention that our old English Bull Terrier's strength is waning. They stick together and take care of each other through thick and thin, and are happily reunited with John at the end of the novel.

While I thought the book was slightly dated, I still fell in love with the charm of the book, and the very obvious message about the devotion to family. I also loved the spin off Homeward Bound movie as a child. The book was very emotional and detailed; written in such a way that you really felt deeply for the sweet pets. ( )
  aelmer | Mar 13, 2014 |
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