The Amazing Adventures
of Hamil the Camel by Hugh Wilson
Illustrated by John Atkinson
Gopher Publishing - February 2001
ISBN: 9076953066 - Paperback
Children's Fiction
Ages 8-12 (Read aloud to 4 years & up)
Hamil is the humpiest,
lumpiest bactrian camel in the world, and the marvelous illustrations
certainly help us to visualize that description. He is kind and friendly,
very intelligent, and -- he doesn't spit.
You'll love Hamil and
cheer for him when he leaves his unhappy home of the coast of North Africa
and falls over a wall right on to the deck of a ship bound for England.
No one seems to notice Hamil because he really blends in with an untidy
pile of rope as he lays on it to rest up after his ordeal of running away
from home. After reaching England he finally finds a home at the Yew Tree
Farm where he makes friends with the Jones family. Mr. Jones is really
skeptical about keeping a camel, but the three children, Mary, John and
Sarah love Hamil. Hamil is friendly with all the farm animals too, and
can communicate with them. . .but he doesn't talk to the human characters.
I think that makes the story more believable.
Hamil has a great many
adventures including being kidnapped by gypsies and giving the Mayor a
ride in a parade. His crowning achievement though, is when he has the
opportunity to help Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. This story is very imaginative
and exciting, with wonderful characters and whimsical drawings to illustrate
the adventures.
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