The Swiss Family Robinson

By Johann Rudolf Wyß, Johann David Wyss, Johann Rudolf Wyss, et al.

Book Overview

"This high-action novel is perfect for young readers' libraries." - The Guardian.

"A rousing, humorous and gentle-hearted tale." - The New York Times.

The Swiss Family Robinson, first published in 1812, is an enduring tale of resilience, imagination, and domestic harmony. Written originally to entertain and instruct Wyss's own four sons, the novel follows a Swiss family-father, mother, and four sons-who are shipwrecked on a deserted island while en route to a new life. Unlike many survival stories steeped in grimness, Wyss's narrative leans toward optimism, presenting the family's predicament not as tragedy but as an opportunity for ingenuity and growth.

With patience and resourcefulness, the Robinsons tame their unfamiliar surroundings. The family constructs treehouses, bridges, and gardens; they tame animals, even riding an ostrich, explore the terrain, and adapt with remarkable ingenuity. Eventually, they even wonder whether they want to be rescued. The father, a Rousseauian guide, teaches his sons botany, zoology, and moral philosophy as they transform the island into a thriving homestead.

There is a charm in the novel's blend of practicality and gentle fantasy, all built on an unobtrusive Christian foundation. This adventure story displays the value of cooperation, curiosity, and faith in human ingenuity. In this age of digital saturation, The Swiss Family Robinson is sure to spark a delight in the natural world, the joy of discovery, and the satisfaction of creating.

The Wyss family read and discussed Robinson Crusoe, and this inspired Johann Wyss to write The Swiss Family Robinson. Jules Verne so enjoyed Johann Wyss's creation that he wrote a sequel, The Castaways of the Flag.

Johann David Wyss (1743-1818) was a Swiss clergyman and served as the rector of the Reformed Protestant Cathedral in Bern. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with his four sons, hiking, hunting and studying nature. Reading Robinson Crusoe as a family, he imagined how he, his wife and sons would fare if they were shipwrecked on a deserted island. The result was The Swiss Family Robinson.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1789434424
• ISBN13: 9781789434422
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Benediction Books
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 6 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 7

Customer Reviews

Disappointed

I thought I was ordering an original, unabridged version of this book. But I received an adapted illustrated version for younger kids. I don’t care for how both versions of this book are grouped under the same product listing. I didn’t want an abridged version. Disappointed.

Enchanting

I received a penguin classic childrens collectable copy of the book. While for some that may be disappointing I was delighted. While not expensive or rare it is a collectable item and very charming over all. I believe it may be slightly abriged but so far seems the same as the other copies I have read. It even has a stamp with a name and address inside which is a detail that I treasure in vintage books. Overall I'm very pleased.

The Swiss Family Robinson

This book, full of adventure, danger, and most of all, exciting discoveries and dangerous endeavors, will capture your imagination immediately. Taken from their father's journal, this exciting book will engage you. A family of four boys, a mother & a father were shipwrecked on a desolate island w/absolutely no other people except themselves. Trying to survive in this dangerous wilderness is quite a job. Setting up several plantations, discovering giant skeletons, having an encounter w/a lion and lioness... these are only a few of the many exciting adventures they have. This book I recommend for boys ages 8 and up. Girls may not be as interested as there are few female characters. I like reading this long book because of all the adventures in it. (Be sure to read the unabridged edition.) Like to read? Then you will like this book. -G.H.P. 10 years

The Swiss Family Robinson

"The Swiss Family Robinson" is a great action book that makes you say, "Wow!" and "Oh My Gosh!" I rated this book a "five" because it shows how a family tries to survive on a stranded island. The family had to fight exotic animals like a serpent and a grizzly bear. I was on the edge of my seat when I read about these ferocious fights. The family built a house in a tree so they could survive on the island. It fascinated me to see how this family built this house in three months, and everyone had a part in building this house. Thie book would be good for ages eight to adult.

Read it out loud to your kids for a wonderful experience

Never mind the film versions; the original unabridged Swiss Family Robinson is an exciting epic with a lot in it for the whole family.Our third grade teacher read to us from this book every day and I could hardly wait for the next installment. Finally I got my own copy for a birthday gift, sat on the couch and read it cover to cover in one go. I still have this book, decades later.From the opening, thrilling tempest scene to the very end and the "rescue", this book has plenty of action as well as creative solutions to problems. There is a lot of material for discussion, how the family solved problems, how they handled disagreements, adversity, disappointment, building of character.This book definitely teaches values along with the adventure and the values are linked in such a way as to be an integral part of the story. And Swiss Family Robinson is never boring. There is always an exciting new beast to be discovered, a new plant to use for food or clothing, a new machine or tool to be built, a new part of the island to explore. This is a wonderful book to read out loud to kids until they are old enough to enjoy reading it themselves. If you are bored with re-runs on TV, turn off the box and spend a half-hour or hour every evening reading this aloud. Everyone will have a great time, and kids who are read to, become readers themselves.

A good book if you have the time...

This book is one of my favorites, but only beacause of the story line. I love the idea of a family ship-wrecked on a desert island with no hope of rescue. But it is rather long and all the adventures get kind of old.