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Morgan and Class 3

خانه ای روی آب

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Poor old Grandma!





It had rained every day since she came to stay with Mother, Father, Morgan, the baby and Tailcat. But just as everyone was getting really fed up of being stuck indoors, the most amazing thing happened!





Suddenly the house started to shudder and rock - and then just floated off down the street and off to sea.





Before long, the family find themselves on the wackiest adventure ever! Hungry cannibals, blood-thirsty pirates, a kidnapping and buried treasure are just some of the hair-raisers in store. Will the family ever see dry land again or will evil One-Eyed Jake cut them into a million tiny pieces?

168 pages

First published January 1, 1975

7 people are currently reading
97 people want to read

About the author

Pat Hutchins

137 books66 followers
Pat Hutchins is an English illustrator and writer of children's books.

She won the 1974 Kate Greenaway Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book illustration by a British subject. The work was The Wind Blew, a picture book in rhyme which she also wrote. It shows how "a crowd of people anxiously chase their belongings" in the wind.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
91 (45%)
4 stars
63 (31%)
3 stars
32 (15%)
2 stars
11 (5%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Mim_farahani.
353 reviews26 followers
November 24, 2022
امتیاز من: ۳.۵
خیلی خاص نبود، فقط خیلی بامزه بود و زود تموم میشد :) کاملا مناسب صبح روزی بود که شب قبلش دندونت رو کشیدی و حال هیچ کاری رو نداری و میخوای یه کتاب هم حالت رو خوب کنه، هم حس بطالت رو ازت بگیره.

قصه در مورد یه خانواده‌ست که خونه‌شون تو سیل از جا کنده میشه و همینطور شناور حرکت می‌کنن تا دریا و کلی اتفاق براشون میفته. همینقدر احمقانه و بانمک.
Profile Image for Mathew.
1,560 reviews219 followers
April 24, 2018
When a biblical rainstorm uproots Morgan’s home and whisks it off onto the ocean, Morgan, Mother, Father, baby, Tailcat and the drink-happy Grandmother sail the Pacific and encounter pirates, cannibals and the Bruces. I wasn’t as keen as this as the other works of Hutchins although I did gain a guilty pleasure in enjoying the banter between Father and Grandmother. Lots here to tickle children.
Profile Image for Derelict Space Sheep.
1,380 reviews18 followers
November 29, 2022
The title promises hijinks and adventure, and the book is certainly written as if it’s funny... but the sardonic mother-in-law jibes grow quickly old, and Hutchins hardly covers herself in glory by portraying Mother as a pitiable lump of vagueness and domesticity.
Profile Image for Chris Callaghan.
Author 35 books201 followers
February 14, 2016
One of the few books I read voluntarily as a child. I saw it on Jackanory and got it out of the library. Finally bought my own copy of it a little while back and read it with my daughter. The magic was still there and we loved it!
Profile Image for Jenni.
373 reviews2 followers
April 10, 2025
So amazing and so deserving of a re-read.
Profile Image for Sharon Dorival.
288 reviews8 followers
June 24, 2025
"The House That Sailed Away" by Pat Hutchins, illustrated by Laurence Hutchins, is a thrilling tale of adventure and fantasy. When a heavy rain causes Morgan's house to float away from London, his family embarks on a wild journey across the South Pacific, encountering cannibals, pirates and buried treasure along the way.

This classic children's book, published in 1975, combines humor, excitement and imaginative storytelling, making it a delightful read for kids and parents alike. Pat Hutchins' writing is engaging and accessible, while Laurence Hutchins' illustrations bring the fantastical elements to life.

Key Themes:

Adventure and Exploration: The story is full of action-packed moments, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the family navigates treacherous seas and unexpected challenges.

Family Bonding: Despite the chaos, the family's love and support for each other shine through, helping them overcome obstacles and work together.

Imagination and Fantasy: The book's fantastical elements, including a house sailing away and encounters with pirates, spark readers' imaginations and creativity.

Awards and Recognition

Pat Hutchins is a renowned author and illustrator, having won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 1974 for "The Wind Blew," another popular children's book.

Overall, "The House That Sailed Away" is a charming and entertaining read that will captivate children and adults with its blend of adventure, humor and heart.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
351 reviews3 followers
March 24, 2019
This children’s novel is a great read. My whole grade 4 class read it when were nine and it was a big hit with the entire class. If buying a copy, Make sure you get the novel and not the theatrical adaptation. (Only buy that one if you want a script to run your own production of the original book) The story has stuck in my mind all these years.
Profile Image for Freddie and Reuben.
7 reviews
March 9, 2018
'I like pirates and treasure chests and the jewels inside. This book has all those things'. - Reuben (aged 5)

'I liked the idea of the house floating away like a boat and crashing on a desert island where they had a party'. - Freddie (aged 7)
Profile Image for Hayley.
99 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2020
I’ve not read this since I was a kid but when a story stays with you for over 30 years, it’s got to be 5 star worthy. Surely?
Profile Image for Susie Ramroop.
Author 16 books11 followers
November 7, 2021
Funny and easy to read. My 9yo and I enjoyed this paired reading until she ran off and devoured the rest alone. Highly recommended. Great to see a book that's stood the test of time.
Profile Image for Heather.
510 reviews8 followers
October 22, 2022
Ridiculous but totally hilarious
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michael.
328 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2023
Indulgence reading from my youth! Found it clearing out boxes! Took me back to primary school 😜
Profile Image for Rebecca.
351 reviews3 followers
March 24, 2019
I’ve given this book one star only because it’s a theatrical adaption of the original novel, thus it reads as a script - which is great if you are putting on a play. However I’m not, and had been hoping to re-read my childhood favourite. I give the original novel five stars because it was the best book I read as a 9 year old kid and I recommended it to my teacher who read it to our class as a group read, and ALL the kids loved it, even the tough kids ! It’s a great imaginative story for kids with excellent characterisations.
Profile Image for Graham.
1,563 reviews61 followers
October 8, 2023
As other reviewers have stated, this was a childhood favourite of mine in the 1980s. I'd never read it again for fear of being disappointed, but at the time this was brilliant stuff: anarchic, energetic, frenzied and exciting. I loved it in a fantastic double bill with the equally good MONA LISA MYSTERY.
Profile Image for Donald.
1,455 reviews12 followers
December 7, 2019
I vividly remember going to the local library in the summer holidays and attending some sort of kids club, where we read this, and did activities based on it, sometime between 1980 and 1985, because we'd moved to the next town by 1986...
Profile Image for Brady.
32 reviews2 followers
November 19, 2012
This book was okay. I didn't really like the way it was written. I don't like to read books in a play perspective. I did like the story though. I liked the details and the characters in the book.
Profile Image for Jen.
29 reviews6 followers
May 31, 2014
Another magical read from my early childhood days.
238 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2018
At first the book was very intriguing and engaging as it was humorous and relatable. However I think the pace of the book was quite slow and could have been alot shorter. The illustrations were fabulous and would really help children to imagine stories in their heads. Although I thought the book was good not great, I would recommend this book to children as I think the plot will keep children hooked.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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