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William Steig
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Amos & Boris Paperback – Picture Book, September 15, 2009

by William Steig (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 600 ratings
Teachers' pick
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Amos the mouse and Boris the whale: a devoted pair of friends with nothing at all in common, except good hearts and a willingness to help their fellow mammal. They meet after Amos sets out to sail the sea and finds himself in extreme need of rescue. And there will come a day, long after Boris has gone back to a life at sea and Amos has gone back to life on dry land, when the tiny mouse must find a way to rescue the great whale.

Amos & Boris is a 1971 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, Notable Children's Book of the Year, and Outstanding Book of the Year.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 8 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - Preschool
  5. Lexile measure
    AD910L
  6. Dimensions
    10.4 x 0.15 x 9 inches
  7. Publisher
    HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
  8. Publication date
    September 15, 2009
  9. ISBN-10
    031253566X
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0312535667
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“There is no question that Steig's affectionately witty pictures and perfectly complementary narration make this a durable picture book friendship.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“The book is funny and earnest, pellucid and profound.” ―The New York Times Book Review

“* A simple, matter-of-fact story about the friendship between a mouse and a whale. . . . Lovely watercolor pictures and a funny, well-written text which presents its plot coincidences in tongue-in-cheek manner fit together admirably in this faintly Aesopian tale.” ―School Library Journal, Starred Review

About the Author

William Steig (1907-2003) was a cartoonist, illustrator and author of award-winning books for children, including Shrek!, on which the DreamWorks movies are based. Steig was born in New York City. Every member of his family was involved in the arts, and so it was no surprise when he decided to become an artist. He attended City College and the National Academy of Design. In 1930, Steig’s work began appearing in The New Yorker, where his drawings have been a popular fixture ever since. He published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968. In 1970, Steig received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. His books for children also include Dominic; The Real Thief; The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book; Amos & Boris, a National Book Award finalist; and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. Steig's books have also received the Christopher Award, the Irma Simonton Black Award, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and the American Book Award. His European awards include the Premio di Letteratura per l'infanzia (Italy), the Silver Pencil Award (the Netherlands), and the Prix de la Fondation de France. On the basis of his entire body of work, Steig was selected as the 1982 U.S. candidate for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration and subsequently as the 1988 U.S. candidate for Writing. Steig also published thirteen collections of drawings for adults, beginning with About People in 1939, and including The Lonely Ones, Male/Female, The Agony in the Kindergarten, and Our Miserable Life. He died in Boston at the age of 95.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT; 1st edition (September 15, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031253566X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312535667
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 8 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD910L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - Preschool
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.4 x 0.15 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 600 ratings

About the author

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William Steig

William Steig

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William Steig (1907–2003) published his first children’s book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (978-1416902065) in 1970. His works also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Abel’s Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books. His most recent books published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux are Shrek! (released by DreamWorks as a major motion picture) and Wizzil, illustrated by Quentin Blake. School Library Journal named Shrek! a Best Book of 1990 and said of it, "Steig's inimitable wit and artistic dash have never been sharper or more expertly blended."

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
600 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Raini Sturm
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was my favorite book as a kid. It’s such a good story. Shows kindness to others regardless of how “different “ they may be. Etc. recently got it for my granddaughter and it’s one of her top requests at night. Great illustrations as well.
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Cheng
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic tale!
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2024
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William Steig is such a great author, Buy all his books for your kids, the stories are all great!
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Roni L.
5.0 out of 5 stars So Funny
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I've always liked reading "The Amazing Bone" and "Dr. DeSoto" to my kids, and had this book in my cart for about 2 years. I finally pulled the trigger on buying it on a whim one day, and I think this is my favorite William Steig book. It's so funny and unassuming and sweet. Truly embodies the beauty of friendship, and just an awesome little story.
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HLC
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this Story
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
My kids (4,8) and I have really been enjoying William Steig books recently. This one is a favorite, and I’ll be gifting it to friends and families for sure. A true friend is always there when you need them, and this story strums that chord perfectly.
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Nancy Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful story of friendship.
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
Love the vocabulary and the concepts! This book has been a favorite for years. It is a great book to share because of the opportunity for conversations and the rich vocabulary.
One person found this helpful
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M. Vangor
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Vocabulary and Story of Unlikely Friendship
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2022
Verified Purchase
I went searching for this book. It was always a great one for my classroom. Now, I plan to give them as gifts this holiday season. In the classroom - I used this book to introduce vocabulary that students would come across - sailing terms, and much, much more.
Saxton
Navigation
immense
loomed
navigation
iodine
savage
phosphorescent
marvel
luminous
vast
akin
ambitions
evaded
immensely

The story too is well laid out. LOVE AND RECOMMEND to all. As far as age...You can read to young children, but the grade levels would be 3rd to 5th depending on what you want to cover.
3 people found this helpful
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MPG
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story - but lots of big words and concepts
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
The story and illustrations of this children's book are absolutely lovely. But parents of young children be aware, the words are many on each page and they are big and advanced (on one page alone: "leisurely," "exchanging," "developed," "admiration," "delicacy," "quivering daintiness," "gemlike radiance," "grandeur," and "abounding friendliness" - phew!) and concepts - like death. I love exposing my child to these big words but it can get tiring when at every other word they stop to ask what it means - I wonder how much of the story he truly understands. I also found myself choked up at the end (spoiler alert) when the two friends, after a near death situation, part to never see each other again. My little kid had many, many big questions about death and dying and being helpless - not an ideal conversation right before bed. This book covers some big life stuff...but it is a beautiful book with a lasting story that goes deep.
22 people found this helpful
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Mary Lee T Aldrich
5.0 out of 5 stars A well-loved children's book
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a book I frequently give as a baby present. It has a wonderful theme...that people who are different from each other in many ways can still be friends.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Jack Nemchin
5.0 out of 5 stars A must in any children ‘s library.
Reviewed in Canada on May 31, 2019
Verified Purchase
A treasure. Big helping small and small returning the favour. Story of friendship. Lovely cadence of the text makes story to be read aloud. 0ne my favourite books by William Steig.
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Mici
5.0 out of 5 stars Amos &Boris
Reviewed in Italy on April 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
La storia e troppo carina e tenera e i disegni sono belli.
Mi e piaciutta molto.
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John H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story for Children
Reviewed in India on December 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
A story of true friendship between an unlikely pair.
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Lucy410
5.0 out of 5 stars Very sweet story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2015
Verified Purchase
A calm book with a 1970s pace. Perfect for bedtime, and the story is sweet without being cloying.
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Hardy Krappe
5.0 out of 5 stars amos and boris
Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
It is a beautiful,lovely book.I can recommend to everybody for all ages.has a message and a deep emotional background.My children love it.
One person found this helpful
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