Adventurous and tender at the same time

“Captains Courageous” tells the story of how Harvey Cheyne, young son of an American multimillionaire, travels back to America on a fishing schooner called the “We’re Here”, by one of whose crew he was saved from drowning. He’s taught in turns by all the crew different skills every fisherman has to have and hears wild, colourful stories round a table. Kipling’s vivid descriptions add to the enjoyment of this classic book, which I think can appeal to most children, and also to some soft-hearted adults.