BENJAMIN IN THE WOODS, Wonder Books Easy Reader

by Eleanor Clymer

This is a charming story about a boy growing up with his pioneer family as they make a home in the woods. It tells of the boy's adventures in the woods with the animals.

Unknown Binding

About the author

Eleanor Clymer (née Lowenton; January 7, 1906 – March 31, 2001), was a writer of children's books, best known for The Trolley Car Family (1947). She graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1928 with a degree in English. Between the years of 1943 and 1983 she published 58 books, including The Tiny Little House, My Brother Stevie, and Hamburgers–and Ice Cream for Dessert.

Clymer was born in New York City, the daughter of Russian immigrants. Through much of her life she was a resident of Katonah, New York and an active member of the nearby Unitarian Universalist fellowship. In 1980 she was awarded the Rip Van Winkle award by the School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern New York for outstanding contributions to children's literature.

Her son, Adam Clymer, was a journalist with The New York Times. Clymer died in 2001 at the age of 95 in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that I found in the stacks at the used bookstore even though it wasn't in the children's section. As such it was a bit of a strange and unexpected find.

Benjamin in the Woods is such a quaint book for it not only starts off in modern times that are just a bit antiquated at this point but still familiar to our own times. Then it turns into the story about Benjamin who along with his parents end up moving to an uncivilized portion of the States although it doesn't really state where this particular location is.

The story then continues to tell the reader what it was like to live at that time, the hard work to keep the family alive, the cooperation of all members and what loneliness may have been felt. When he finally gets a bit of time to himself, poor Benjamin has no playmates thus starts a crazy yet fun ruckus with the woodland animals. And surely at this point as any other mama would know his was definitely a saint.

Given its nature the book is very simplistic to read, the words are easy to understand for new readers and it is quite entertaining. For older and more varied readers the story itself will remind them of times when they have read The Little House On the Prairie series although with a boy protagonist or even The Yearling. And although it isn't PC I think it definitely does capture the spirit of the times when America was being settled.

The best part to me about the book was the illustrations. Although not brightly colored, they are still realistically detailed, emotionally present and most definitely help to tell the story for those who need the extra push. And in a sense I guess if you were really pushed to it children may enjoy being able to add their own colors to such artwork.

All in all it was a great and quick read while if your children enjoy it there is most definitely a large genre out there for other similar stories that they may also enjoy as well.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard working pioneer boy takes off to the woods each afternoon to find a friend. But what he brings home is not okay with his mother. Will he find a suitable playmate?

Ages: 4 - 8
Reading Level: 1st - 3rd grades

Content Considerations: nothing to note.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonder Books Easy Reader- Benjamin in the Woods (Hardcover) by Eleanor Clymer, William Russell (Illustrator), Lilian Moore (Editor) Hindi language translation by Arvind Gupta-Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of a Pioneer family which has arrived in USA for settlement. This is a time when America is being settled. Benjamin’s family consists of his parents, his uncle John, a small child, one cow, one pig. They all cut the forest and construct a hut of wood for their residence. They sow seeds in the newly prepared agricultural land. When his father and Uncle are away, Benjamin helps his mother in farming, milking the cow and other small help. One day, when Benjamin is free his mother permits him to go out and play. Benjamin finds the forest without friends to play. First, he finds cubs of deer, bear and skunk. His mother is aware that Benjamiin is lonely. He has no friends of his age to play with. She asks him to leave these three cubs in the forest. Next day, Benjamin finds a dog. He brings him home. His parents think that there is some other Pioneer family nearby. They all go in search of the other Pioneer family. They find a boy looking for his dog whose name is Sam. They all go to meet the new Pioneer family. When both families meet, they ensure to help each other in settlement, farming and survival in the new world. Message from the story is help one another to co-exist in a new place. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to each page of the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my 1st. Chapter book as a kid. I loved it and kept it to re-read for years after. Wish I knew where my copy went.