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Baby In a Basket
Offers the true-life story of Baby Ann who vanished after the family and their belongings were separated when their sleigh accidentally broke through the ice during a mid-winter journey in Alaska in 1917. Reprint.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 30, 2020
I appreciate the tale being told, but it seemed rushed. This needed a few more pages to set up the characters and give resolution to their journey. The illustrations were too scary in places.
November 20, 2024
I thought this was going to be just another kids book but WHOA! It told a great story and had an arc that blew my mind and had me thinking about for the rest of the day. Think worst case scenario in Oregon Trail game mixed with Alaskan cold. MUST READ!!!
April 16, 2018
True story! When tragedy strikes, you witness a remarkable miracle. Lovely illustrations, and well-written suspense as the gripping story unfolds.
August 11, 2019
A terrible accident and a loving story. Worth the reading.
May 14, 2021
Excellent story that Alissa kept telling everyone - It's a true story.
August 4, 2024
Great story!
October 26, 2010
In January, 1917, a young mother set out from Fairbanks, Alaska with her two children to spend the rest of winter with relatives in Seattle. While crossing a river in a snowstorm, with a roadhouse destination in sight, the sleigh overturned and baby Ann was lost in the confusion. This well-written picture book presents a gripping true story which will raise the heart rate and ultimately comfort young readers with its satisfying ending. Ted Rand's superb watercolor paintings bring us into a world of darkness and cold snow everywhere, with a particularly good use of firelight from lanterns, windows and doors to evince the safety and warmth of human company in the relentless Alaskan winter.
As in Sarah Whitcher's Story, the dangers to the children are starkly presented, although the gravity of the situation may be better appreciated by adult readers than by the young audience the book is intended for. The sight of sister Ann's warm cap sweeping away under the river's ice is enough to chill a parent's bones, and the young mother's anguish may bring adult readers to tears. But young readers appreciate their own vulnerability more than we give them credit for, and they will understand that the baby is in danger. The joyful celebration when the baby is found helps to release the fearful tension built up during the terrible search.
The story may trouble sensitive readers, and I recommend that adults be available to help children see that although the baby's mother was not able to rescue her child, still a providential hand was ready to bring her to safety. For Christian families, the story provides an opportunity to talk about God's protective care of children, especially those whose parents cannot care for them (see Matthew 10:30-31; Psalm 10:17-18; Psalm 68:5; and many other examples). It is best suited to an elementary audience.
As in Sarah Whitcher's Story, the dangers to the children are starkly presented, although the gravity of the situation may be better appreciated by adult readers than by the young audience the book is intended for. The sight of sister Ann's warm cap sweeping away under the river's ice is enough to chill a parent's bones, and the young mother's anguish may bring adult readers to tears. But young readers appreciate their own vulnerability more than we give them credit for, and they will understand that the baby is in danger. The joyful celebration when the baby is found helps to release the fearful tension built up during the terrible search.
The story may trouble sensitive readers, and I recommend that adults be available to help children see that although the baby's mother was not able to rescue her child, still a providential hand was ready to bring her to safety. For Christian families, the story provides an opportunity to talk about God's protective care of children, especially those whose parents cannot care for them (see Matthew 10:30-31; Psalm 10:17-18; Psalm 68:5; and many other examples). It is best suited to an elementary audience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2008
This picture book is based on a real event which occurred in 1917, when Marie Boyer, a kindergarten teacher, left
Alaska with her two children, three-year-old Betty and baby Ann. In a freak accident on a bridge all the passengers are thrown from the sleigh and Betty is thrown into the river. Blue with cold, she is rescued, but Ann is nowhere to be found. In order to save the remaining passengers, the party departs for a lodge despite Marie's frantic attempts to keep searching. Miraculously, Ann is found with her basket intact, floating on top of the ice.
The illustrations well capture the feeling of flying snow and intense cold. Pair with "Mama Do You Love Me," by Barbara Joose.
Older readers will enjoy Mrs. Mike, by Nancy and Benedict Freeman.
Alaska with her two children, three-year-old Betty and baby Ann. In a freak accident on a bridge all the passengers are thrown from the sleigh and Betty is thrown into the river. Blue with cold, she is rescued, but Ann is nowhere to be found. In order to save the remaining passengers, the party departs for a lodge despite Marie's frantic attempts to keep searching. Miraculously, Ann is found with her basket intact, floating on top of the ice.
The illustrations well capture the feeling of flying snow and intense cold. Pair with "Mama Do You Love Me," by Barbara Joose.
Older readers will enjoy Mrs. Mike, by Nancy and Benedict Freeman.
June 7, 2012
Rand, G. (Author) & Rand, T. (Illustrator). (1997). Baby in a basket. Dutton, New York: Cobblehill Books. Unp. Ages 4 and up.
Based on a true story. Marie and her two daughters, three-year-old Betty, and four-month-old Ann are leaving Alaska for the winter. They travel through the winter bundled up in a horse pulled sleigh. One fateful night, they run into winter trouble and Marie fears that all is lost. A heart-wrenching, fast paced story of hardship and survival is accompanied by full-colored and detailed pictures and keeps readers of all ages on their toes.
Related activity: Class discussion of the book, discussion of winter clothing and winter safety.
Based on a true story. Marie and her two daughters, three-year-old Betty, and four-month-old Ann are leaving Alaska for the winter. They travel through the winter bundled up in a horse pulled sleigh. One fateful night, they run into winter trouble and Marie fears that all is lost. A heart-wrenching, fast paced story of hardship and survival is accompanied by full-colored and detailed pictures and keeps readers of all ages on their toes.
Related activity: Class discussion of the book, discussion of winter clothing and winter safety.
March 7, 2013
Lovely illustrations. Real story about a mother traveling with her 2 daughters in Alaska. Set in the early 1900's. Great illustrations about how difficult travel was at that time. Enough suspense and trouble that is resolved quickly in the book.
November 9, 2016
Pretty awesome. And intense. Also, I thought it was funny that in the back of the book, which we got from the library, is a little spot to share your thoughts on the book and someone had written, "My mom was in tears for like a year." hahaha
October 10, 2007
Beautifully illustrated....an incredible adventure based on a true story...
January 6, 2010
A sweet true story, and I know the baby---I played duplicate bridge with her when she was in her 80's! (Betty Peth)
November 5, 2007
Suspenseful tale of a mother and two young daughters travelling across Alaska by sleigh during a dreadful 1917 storm. Aside from the abrupt and clunky ending, a worthwhile, exciting read. Gr. K-2.
September 18, 2008
This was pretty suspenseful for a children's book, but I liked that it was a true story and that it had a happy ending!
February 20, 2017
A harrowing story based on a woman's experience 100 years ago.
She was travelling in Alaska with her two small children when an accident struck.
Pretty scary story...
She was travelling in Alaska with her two small children when an accident struck.
Pretty scary story...
October 30, 2017
I loved the illustrations in the book. They were so detailed and breathtaking! They really helped add to the story!
April 15, 2019
I highly recommend this book to moms. Based on true events, it is a beautiful depiction of God's protection.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews