Adventure on Klickitat Island

I must add my voice to the chorus here - this is a wonderful book and one that my children have come to love! It is a ferquent bedtime request and the rhyming words and engaging artwork do their relaxing magic. We love it!

This book is simply a treasure. The story is about a boy and his bear and their blankie, who have an adventure on a dark, stormy night when they help their forest friends build a storm shelter. The rhyming text is very smooth and soothing...it actually slows down my 16-month old and 4 year old! And the illustrations are without a doubt BEAUTIFUL!! This book is requested every night and I'm more than glad to narrate!

When I was a little boy, my big sister gave me an exquisitely illustrated book about a mother bunny who was called upon to deliver a special Easter gift to a dying child living in a remote mountain cabin. I received the book about 50 years ago, and to this day I vividly recall the highly detailed illustrations and, because of them, I recall the gist of the book as well. I loved that book. And I found myself reading it once in a while until I was nearing my teens. It was just a beautiful book with a beautiful message about courage, altruism, and the responsibility we humans need to have for one another.I kept the book, and passed it on to my little daughter. She, in turn, has read it repeatedly to my grandchildren.Barbara Upton has the artistic genius needed to make a book into an heirloom. I don't know that Klickitat will rise to that level, but it might, because the book is very attractive and highly readable. If it fails to become a family treasure, it would be only because the language in the poem would not appeal to children beyond maybe 7 or so (my youngest grandchildren are 8, and they object to the word "blankie" in the poem, for example.) I think a book earns a special place in a person's heart when the book's message says something to "kids" of all ages, in language that does not turn off older children.I hope a quality book publisher hires Upton to illustrate a real book, with a story line that will appeal both to tykes who can't yet read, and to kids who learned to read years ago, yet pick up the book from time to time simply because its message is still relevant, the language is not obviously geared to toddlers, and the illustrations are appealing unto themselves. All these elements make a mere book into a family treasure.As I said, Upton has the gift to produce works of art that children will want to carry into their adult lives. I think Klickitat will pass down for a few generations. And I think competent book publishers will recognize Upton's genius for beautiful art, and turn her loose on a big project like my treasured Easter story. Let's hope so, anyway.If they do, I'll be one of the first in line to buy it.Glenn Troester, Editor & Publisher Meeker Herald & Rangely Times Meeker Colorado

The Adventure on Klickitat Island by Hillary Hippely and illustrated by Barbara Upton is a great example of collaborative story telling and fine artwork. The story is about a small boy and his teddy bear who wake up in the middle of the night in the midst of a thunderstorm. They are concerned about the animals on Klickitat Island and set off to help them, accompanied by the boy's faithful "blankie".The story/poem has a wonderful rhythm, but it is the exceptional artwork that sets this book apart from many others. The artwork could only be called sumptuous, with multiple themes interleaved from page to page. It is a visual experience where adults easily will find continuous enjoyment and a story that will have the average child both enthralled and calmed before bedtime.This should be a must for your child!

This is a book meant to be read out loud. The verse ignites the imagination of young readers and listeners. The story exemplifies how caring and teamwork break down barriers and establish community.