I found this book for free in a pub and took it fir my little girl to read when she is older as I liked the pictures . She is 4 years old and not able to read much yet, just the letter sounds. I liked this book very much. It skims over the early part of the voyage to concentrate on the time Michael has on Kensuke's Island. Kensuke San loves very much the island world he rules over and cares for. He is a Doctor and a protector of living things. I liked the portrayal of classical Japanese culture in this book and the truth that the world is a big place full of possible adventures. The end of the book made me cry a bit, but not sad tears.