Critical Reception

Initial Reception

Minn of the Mississippi was received with generally positive acclaim at the time of its publication.  Holling had already made a name for himself in children’s books with Paddle to the Sea and Seabird.  The majority of critics immediately noted a connection of trends between Minn and Holling’s previous works.  Like his previous works, Minn was also a large format book with a mix of black and white illustrations in the margins and full page color illustrations evenly distributed throughout the story.  Also, the narrative played out quite similarly to his other works as a hybrid almanac/narrative providing young readers with a wide variety of facts on the region explored by the story’s main character.  A Kirkus review from the time praises the book describing it as “bursting with legend, history, natural science, convincing personalities and even a few wise saws...bound to keep the reader happy and busy for some time.” Although Horn Book's reviewer appreciated the format of the book, the reviewer did lament that the book followed the conventions of Holling's previous children's books too closely.  Nearly all critics pointed out the book’s educational qualities that were made entertaining for young readers by Holling’s use of art and narrative.  The educational aspects of the story have continued to be the most highlighted aspect of the book’s value to young readers throughout its years of publication.

Complete Listing of Contemporary Reviews

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) New Yorker, December 1 1951, Vol. 27, p188-188.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) By: Kieran, M. Atlantic (01606506), Dec 1951, Vol. 188, p104-104.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) By: Randall, Averil Library Journal (1876)., 15 Nov 1951, Vol. 76, p1945-1945.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) Christian Science Monitor, 4 Oct 1951, p11-11.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) Saturday Review of Literature., November 10 1951, Vol. 34, p70-70.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) Wilson Bulletin (0733-5105), Sep 1951, Vol. 47, p219-219.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) Bull VA Kirkus' Bookshop Serv, 15 Sep 1951, Vol. 19, p530-530.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) New York Herald Tribune, 11 Nov 1951, p4-4.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) Horn Book Magazine, Dec 1951, Vol. 27, p411-411.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) Booklist, 1 Oct 1951, Vol. 48, p52-52.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) Bookmark (Albany, N.Y.)., Nov 1951, Vol. 11, p35-35.

Minn of the Mississippi (Book Review) By: P., G. Chicago Sunday Tribune, 11 Nov 1951, p11-11.


Later Reception:

Minn of the Mississippi has remained a well loved book and can still be found in print to this day.  School Library Journal has recently described it as an “outstanding book with beautiful colored illustrations” which has the ability to draw a large audience of readers “including adults.”  In 1997 the New York Times included Minn within its list of fifty notable children’s books of the past fifty years.  Although few reviews of Minn have been published in trade magazines and newspapers since its initial publication, the rise of the internet and personal blogs demonstrates the continued use and reception of the book.  

Interestingly enough a number of home school resource forums on the internet have highlighted the book for its educational utility.  In fact, a very large number of conservative Christian home school networks have highlighted the book for its descriptions of geography and history.  One Christian book site, Exodus Books, cautions parents: “Please note that there is a very minor amount of evolutionary content.”  But the politics of science and faith aside, many Christian homeschoolers appreciate the books straightforward presentation of factual data with a morally pure story of the life of a turtle.  One homeschool teacher reviews the book on Christianbook.com praising Holling for his “imaginative grasp and touch of originality” that “open the door of a child’s mind.”


“Minn of the Mississippi.” School Library Journal, Nov. 2005.

“50 Years of Children’s Books.” New York Times, 16 Nov. 1997 http://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/16/books/children-s-books-50-years-of-children-s-books.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

“Minn of the Mississippi.” Exodus Books: http://www.exodusbooks.com/details.aspx?id=2126.

“Minn of the Mississippi.” Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/minn-of-the-mississippi-paperback/holling-holling/9780395273999/pd/73994