A tale of summer childhood adventures.
Consisting of four children, the youngest seven, sailing out to an island and camping there without adult supervision. They meet other children (their boat is the Swallow, and the others' the Amazon, hence the title) , sail about playing explorer, and stumble onto some moments of high drama. Involves charcoal burners, toffee, a parrot, being at war, using lanterns, cooking scrambled eggs over the fire, having an odd birthday party, and more.