THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON

The ship survives the night, and the family finds themselves within sight of a tropical desert island. The following day, they decide to get to the island they can see beyond the reef. With much effort, they construct a vessel out of tubs. After they fill the tubs with food, ammunition, and other items of value they can safely carry, they row toward the island. Two dogs from the ship, Turk and Juno, swim beside them. The ship's cargo of livestock (including a cow, a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram, a pig, chickens, ducks, geese, and pigeons), guns and powder, carpentry tools, books, a disassembled pinnace and provisions have survived. Written by Johann David Wyss and first published in 1812. The novel was intended to teach his four sons about family values, good farming, and the uses of the natural world and self-reliance. Many chapters involve moral lessons such as frugality, husbandry, acceptance, and cooperation. Wyss presents adventures as lessons in natural history and physical science. The book covers more than ten years and full of adventures.