Tim All Alone by Edward Ardizzone

Little Tim

by Edward Ardizzone

Little Tim's adventures at sea have delighted generations of children ever since the first book was published in 1936. In this Kate Greenaway winning title, Tim arrives home after a long holiday to find his parents have vanished. He is determined to search the whole wide world, if necessary, to find them, and sets out on a journey filled with sea-faring adventure. Includes QR code that links to audio book read by Stephen Fry.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Adventure, Fiction, Childrens Classics, School

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

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

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favourite series of books from picture book days in our house. The illustrations are wonderful, we loved the way there is almost always a little dog or cat in each scene. The story is exciting, so much happens and then all ends well. These are brilliant for children who want a bit more from a picture book story, who love adventure and happy endings.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a Dickens tale, but packs it all in 48 pages. What more could you want?

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a search. Many trials ensue but finally the treasure is found. Tim’s parents! I love the illustrations; the cat is a favorite.
“However, when he had cried a little-and he could not help that-he remembered to say his prayers and felt a little comforted.”

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Tim books - they have quaint illustrations and the old-fashioned story-telling never ceases to charm!

Ages: 5 - 10

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[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an astonishing book. It is devastatingly sad. Tim is a young boy who takes a lengthy holiday by himself! He arrives at the family home only to find that his parents have left a note ""Gone Away. House to Let"". Most children might be a bit knocked around by this, but young Tim is a resourceful kid. He sets out to sea to sail up and down the coast looking for his parents. He is taken on as a cabin boy and a series of adventures befall him. I had thought that this was the first of the Tim series by Ardizzone, but this book was actually written 20 years after the first Tim book, Little Tim and the Brave Sea Captain. Tim All Alone functions very well as a stand alone book. It is amazing that this series is in print 50-70 years after it was first published, and clearly speaks to the popularity of the Tim books. I'll be interested to read more of them.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

1956 Kate Greenaway Medal

[Ellie Curtsinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim All Alone won the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1956. It is absolutely a product of its time, as it seems a little old fashioned. It would be nearly impossible for a child to go on vacation by himself and then return home to find that his parents have disappeared because they mistakenly thought he was dead. However, I do think this is a really fun story. The book features mainly single page illustrations that take up just a portion of the page with lots of white space surrounding them. I don't know the exact medium that Ardizzone used, but it looks like pen and watercolors. I like the alternation of color and no color throughout the book. The first page is in color, and the next two pages (making up a full-page spread) are just pen, and then the next two pages have watercolor, and so on. This alternation doesn't seem to add anything to a story and is probably just a stylistic choice. The illustrations are pretty realistic, and maybe a little cartoon-like.
I don't think this book would be particularly interesting to kids today, but I do think it is important to appreciate it as a Greenaway winner in the 1950s. I really liked this book as an adult, especially Tim's heroism when he saved the cat from the fire on the ship.

[Athena Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I finished reading “Tim and the Brave Sea Captain” while I was waiting for my boyfriend to return from running errands, I decided to give this story a try to see how it compares. From what I can say, I like “Tim All Alone” much more because it shows how Tim grew into an adult while searching for his parents. I especially like the beautiful twist at the end, along with the big “BUT,”both of which I won’t spoil for those who haven’t yet read it or any of the “Tim” books. So yeah, if you like stories about kids growing up and going on their own journeys, then I highly recommend “Tim All Alone.” It’s quite sweet and surprisingly powerful. :)

[Catherine Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lot of drama and adventure packed into one children's picture book. It is almost a Dickens' in miniature. Poor little Tim is separated from his parents and has adventures good and bad on land and at sea, and meets good, bad and indifferent characters. Enjoy the ride. And a cat!

[Jeani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found the Little Tim series at my local library. Tim has quite an adventure. I think this is a good beginning reader book - for a kid beyond Seuss and Willems but not ready for a more involved plot or strenuous read.

[Sarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set book for Children's Lit MA

[Boxofdelights · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very odd story about a very small boy who comes home to discover that his parents have moved away. He has to take care of himself and track down his parents. Fortunately, he is brave.

[Nicole Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is absolutely a book of its time. It has charming little illustrations that convey the emotion of the story beautifully, yet it plays out in a way that feels unworldly and possibly a tad bizarre to a current day reader. Poor young Tim returns home from a long, apparently solo, steamer cruise to discover his parents have up and left, leaving Tim alone in the world. After a few tears and a little time for prayer Tim resolves to search the whole world, if necessary, to find them. Tim's search leads him on an adventure across the sea, meeting a whole host of different characters on his way. There are many elements of the writing that set it firmly within its 1950s time and the freedom young Tim is afforded seems slightly alarming to the modern eye, but I think this all adds to its charm. The interesting and ambitious turns of phrase make a refreshing change to the modern picture book. The story is told as much, and possibly more, through the beautifully inked pictures as the text. Dip in if you'd like to find out if Tim found his happy ending or searched forever to be reunited with his lost parents.

[Checkthebook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Tim adventure. I like the ending where Tim writes a kind letter to a lady who once helped him. Tim has good middos!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

1956Greenaway Medal (for illustration) Winner

I’ve always loved Edward Ardizzone’s illustrative style - and I still do.

[Bill]

All I can say is: Bizarre.