In no way do ten years of isolation destroy the social fabric of the Robinson family. The children and adults are essentially happy; there is never any lack of work or play or sport. The children are not merely lectured about old-fashioned morality and purity, they learn from the parents' example. Obedience to parents and hard work are the keys to happiness.

Some readers may object to scenes that portray the killing of animals. Some may be alarmed at the freedom the four young Robinson boys have with firearms, always shooting first and asking questions later; one wonders that they do not shoot one another. Attempts to make light of the death of a mother monkey are not really successful, and the massacre of the great ape is revolting, as are some other passages about the riddance of objectionable birds.

Many commentators have noted that when...