This classic Victorian novel popular in its time is a fine example of descriptive writing at its best. It will entertain as well as educate the most prolific of readers with references to world-wide geographic locations, foreign phraseology, and descriptive paragraphs that are refreshing different to 21st century reading. A tale of romance and intrigue woven with Christian morality will delight the reader into imagining themselves present in an era now passed. I can see why it was a favorite of my grandmother and will remain a favorite with me.

Although the book chronicles the life of Edna Earl from childhood into adult life, it was titled, 'St. Elmo.' Edna Earl maintained a very high sense of morality, and strongly valued her belief system and her integrity. It was this sense of morality, expressed through her confident personality, that resulted in the eventual 'spiritual reawakening' of St. Elmo Murray. St. Elmo was truly 'born again' as a man and as a spiritual being. His turnaround from an angry, misanthropic individual into an enlightened individual was remarkable. It was Edna Earl who triggered this awakening in him. Therefore, naming the book 'St. Elmo' was a testament his receiving of grace. Agusta Jane Evans was an outstanding writer, as good as any whose books I have ever read.

I have read this book threetimes. The first was when I was a teenager no more than l4 years. I read it again soon after I was married at twehty three. The first two times were borrowed books - I then found it still in print so I finally bought my own copy. I treasure it and probably will read it again for the fourth time. It is the greatest book I have ever owned not counting the Bible.

This is my Baby Daughter's absolute favorite book. I bought it when she was five months old, because she had the Chicken Elmo toy that she really liked. She just loves this book. She's eight months old and it's really the only book that captures her full attention. (The Hungry Caterpillar comes in second.) We've tried buying other Elmo books, but she's just not as interested in them.

My daughter (22 months old) loves this book. The main characteris Elmo, and features a couple of the other sesame Street characters. The book has a great rhyming pattern and my daughter loves when Elmo sneezes and as a consequence knocks thimgs down. My daughter loves all the Early Step into Reading books I've purchased. They offer alot of Sesame Street titles which are great. These books are wonderful for the next step in reading (going from picture books to longer stories with a plot).

This is one of the best books I've found for my daughter. At 21 months this is her absolute favorite book. She won't go anywhere with out "Achoo". She's giggles at every page and can identify all the people inside. We use it to practice colors and shapes. We love to sneeze whenever Elmo does. This is a must have for toddlers. I just placed several more of the Early Step into Reading series in my shopping cart.

My daughter, like most kids, is an Elmo FANATIC. This book is nice and big and durable. It keeps her occupied for a while and she also carries it around while she's watching Sesame Street or her Elmo videos!

Ever since my daughter has been a few months old she has picked this book to read over many others that I have purchased for her. Now that she is 17 months old she still chooses this book to read time after time. This book is big and bright and very easy for little hands to handle. Highly recommended!

This book is wonderful! Grandma gave it to my son as a present when he was around two months old, and now at eight months it is still his absolute favorite. We cannot pass by the book without him "asking" (grunting and pointing) for it to be read. He has each of the pages memorized and knows what to expect next as we turn the pages together. The pages are large so they are fun for him to touch and handle. The illustrations are simple and bright and hold his attention for a long time. We read this book together every day and it truly makes my son happy. Highly recommended!

My son got this as a favor at a birthday party when he was one. He loves this book and wants us to read it to him over and over. Now, when we say "Elmo says touch your nose!" He will do it! The best one is when "Elmo says do a shimmy shake"! You have to see it. I just wish it was a board book instead of pages, since he has ripped out several pages and now I need a new copy.

This is a wonderful book for an extremely low price. I bought eight of them as birthday party favors. It is perfect for small children.

This book is wonderful for toddlers. It teaches them to follow instructions while having fun with their Sesame Street fans. My daughter is 16 months old and knows the book by heart. I would recommend every family have this book in their childs library.

This book has held up very well in the year since I bought it. The pages don't stick together because they are vinyl, not plastic, and there have been no tears or obvious wear to the book. It does the trick for entertaining in the tub while you wash kids' hair (two year olds hate that!), and it will usually quiet our fussing child.

My 1 year old daughter absolutely loves this book. The pictures are bright and well drawn and the poem clever. The best thing though is that this book cleans up so easily. Everything from spaghetti sauce and grapejuice to bathwater. I highly recommend this book for anyone who as ever dealt with sticky pages before.

My child loves this book. It's nice because I can let her play with it and I don't have to worry about her getting it wet or ripping the pages out.

My one-and-a-half year old daughter loves this book. Even though she knows what is under each flap, she still flips each flap with excitement. There lots of pictures of common items, like a ball, banana, fish, etc... so the book is helpful in teaching and reinforcing new words. The book is has many pages and keeps my daughter's attention for a long time. It is sturdy and not a single flap has torn, in spite of her constant use. A+.

This is one of my kids favorites, starring Elmo, Big bird, Zoe, Ernie, Grover, Grouch...It's not real long though, only about 5 pages. Great for little little ones. It has about 30 flaps.

My 14 month old loves his blankie and loves Elmo. I could't have asked for a better book. He loves the flaps to open and seems surprised when he looks under each one. If your child loves Sesame Street this will hold his interest every time.

A gripping tale of survival; a man and his children who saved each other. It is clear that this father holds his children in high esteem as he describes the pain and starvation that his family had to endure. The children are remarkably adept, quickly learning and applying survival techniques. For instance, the oldest daughter, by sheer will and determination, lifted her father up a cliff to avoid being swept away by the strong waves. These children worked together to overcome hypothermia, starvation and infection from wounds and frostbite. It is a book that makes you reflect on your own situation and leads you to ask the question, 'Would I be able to survive under those circumstances?'

This is a great story of survival, the family had a oneness that helped them survive. They knew what to eat and what to drink. It's also a good reference for other sea going people to take heed of there errors at sea and learn. I thank God for them and that he spared their lives.

This book is excellent. It covers all the bases--practice with numbers, letters, shapes, opposites and more while using everyday objects and favorite characters to "teach" them all. Plus, there's the fun of lifting the "flaps" to see what's behind many different objects--an activity of great interest to children. My son just loves this book (he's 18 months). He's a big fan of reading, and this certainly would be in his top 3 favorites. I just can't say enough about this book! (As a teacher, I have a great appreciation for how well this book is organized and what all it covers. Teaching and learning is a snap with materials like this!)

A good book for all young childrens: I leave in France and I geave this book to my little nevew. He loves it so much. It's possible for him to learn easier english. A good way to learn!

Buy this book only if you're prepared to read it *all* the time! I love that this book has helped teach my 2 yo son his letters, numbers, shapes, opposites, etc., but he has to read it every night before bed and he has to sleep with it! This has been going on since we got it for Christmas! I'm so sick of it, I came online to find another Elmo lift-and-look book. For my son's bedtime reading ritual, I have to read Elmo first or he won't concentrate on the other books--constantly saying "I wanna read Elmo" as I'm trying to read a different book! Thankfully, there's enough going on each page that I can make up stories about the characters or play games like finding circles in the numbers page to mix things up a bit! Ah well, thanks Elmo :-)

My son loves books, this one is fun because he can look at whats under the flaps and learn to count,find things that match and find opposites. He plays awhile looking at this, he received this when he was 2 years old and now he is 4 years old.

My two years old son reads this book every day. Each page has one theme. My son loves to use his interpretation and imagination to describe what the sesame street muppets are doing and talking about to each other. After my friends read this book, they all ask me to order it for them. Now I have ordered four more for them.

Worth the money. Teach your baby with YOUR pleasure - he/she will be delighted.

Not all of Sesame Str. books are so great as this one (e.g. I warn you: do NOT buy "Tickle me Elmo"). You and your kid will be delighted uncovering things (I discover the clown's toothpaste after two weeks...)

Really nice and helpful with development of the child.

Mr. Wortman writes in a simply format to allow the reader an opportunity to fully grasped the danger of the situation without being distracted by flowery words. The courage this family protrayed and the lesson in determination for survival is the reason I have read and re-read this book over a dozen times. The majastic of the sea and of the coast of Alaska makes this a unforgetable backdrop to an adventure of a lifetime.

To the person in Hawaii, what you need to realize is that in the very first part of the book, the KIDS WANTED to live in Alaska.. the father did NOT force them to. Another thing... all the children had survival skills that helped them with this unfortunate turn of events.. and that tells me that they LOVED living the way they were.

To the neice or nephew from New England, I am so very sorry for your loss. I read the book in highshool and still continue to read now as an adult. It gives me a wonderful feeling of warmth to see how a family sticks together and works for the safety of each other. If you would please contact me and tell me how the Wortman children are doing, I would so much appreciate it. The book was moving and I enjoyed it very, very much. I feel like I knew the family after reading it and have kept it part of my life for so long, it would be nice to know how their lives have panned out. :)

If you've not read this book, you will enjoy it.

We moved to SE Alaska in 1987. I started out on Prince of Wales Island and then moved to Dall Island. I have beachcombed on Long Island and Dall Is. I have been to each place that was described in the book. It amazes me that they all survived for that long. If any of you have ever slipped into the cold Alaska waters, even in the Summer, you would have a very special appreciation for what these people went through. The beaches are sometimes difficult if not impossible to walk. I can't imagine it with 3 feet of snow and angled ice. Elmo did his best for his children. One that has never lived in the Alaska bush, can not judge acuratly the way they were brought up. Alaska children are one of the best. They understand what it is like to not have ALL the luxuries. They see beautiful sunrises and sets, things that animals do that most will never see. They know what it takes to get something to eat, and to appreciate it.
I am not known as an emotional person, but reading the book and knowing what these people went through brought me to tears...