Tim and Ginger by Edward Ardizzone

Little Tim

by Edward Ardizzone

Tim and his friend Ginger live by the sea. Ginger thinks he knows everything about everything, and one day he rows off by himself and falls in the sea. Tim rescues him in a boat but suddenly a great storm arises. It's getting dark, and Tim knows that they are at the mercy of the wind and waves.....

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Edward Jeffrey Irving Ardizzone, CBE, RA was an English artist, writer and illustrator, chiefly of children's books.

For Tim All Alone (Oxford, 1956), which he wrote and illustrated, Ardizzone won the inaugural Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject.

For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005) it was named one of the top ten winning works, selected by a panel to compose the ballot for a public election of the all-time favourite.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Tim and Ginger do not die horrible deaths at sea as one might expect in the real world under similar circumstances, there are other aspects of the book that are refreshingly true to life, instead of sugar-coated or idealized. I particularly like the unreformed curmudgeonly boat owner. And Ginger's response to him. And the town's reaction.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well. I've long enjoyed Ardizzone's illustrations because they are in some of my favorite books, but I had no idea he wrote stories himself. Apparently there's a whole series about Tim who lives in this seaside village; I'll have to look for more (perhaps on openlibrary.org).

There's a certain brilliance here in the character sketches of the two boys, friends despite a personality and age difference (because the village is so small...-). Everything they do is perfect, the story makes perfect sense... except for a subplot about the ownership of a small rowboat. I think that either the sub-plot should be eliminated, or Ginger should pay for the boat because he was the idjit who let himself get trapped by the tide .

Picture-book format, but probably better suited for ages 6-8 I think, or a bit younger if shared with family.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sea story

[Checkthebook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim rescues Ginger! Tim is always so level-headed.

[Robin Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Ardizzone is far and away my favorite author of picture books. I love both his illustrations and Tim's adventures. They are like Tintin books for a younger audience. But my very favorite Ardizzone book is Sarah and Simon and No Red Paint.

[lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that Tim got to tell why he took the boat before he got in trouble, and then he saved Ginger and the policeman laughed and everyone else laughed about the silly old boat.

[ObsidianCub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this when I was younger, one of the books my father liked to read.