Customer Reviews

BUMBLE-ARDY

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Anyone who knows Sendak shouldn't expect his work to be "easy." It is defiantly idiosyncratic and often disturbing, unlike most of the garish pap out there these days. Sendak is less interested in telling a neatly tied-up story, than he is in creating an emotional narrative that invites repeated viewings. At 83, his art has lost none of its vibrancy, and he paints this one in loose and light watercolor spreads with thankfully no evidence of computer enhancement. The masks worn by the guests at Bumble Ardy's party are clearly bizarre, but intriguingly so. I suspect children will immerse themselves in Bumbe's environment despite what their parents might feel. And this is one of Sendak's strengths; he doesn't water down his work to please overly sensitive adults who have forgotten the wildness of their own childhoods. These days, awash as we are in political correctness, that takes balls! So celebrate this new work from a master of his craft and pray it won't be his last!

I was young enough to read Sendak's work as a child and am now old enough to share my love of his books with my niece. What I find absolutely enchanting about Sendak's work is that it continues to speak to you with an evolving voice as you get older. The fantastical situations and fun illustrations that most captivated me as a child have now evolved into a sort of reverence and reflection on childhood and growing up. Maybe I'm just reading a little too far into everything, but I just meant to make very explicit that Bumble-Ardy is very much a recapitulation of exactly that: my niece can enjoy the fanciful story and interesting illustrations, and I can enjoy the very philosophic aspects of it. I hadn't initially been very excited about the book until I heard an interview Sendak had on NPR, after which I decided I had to get the book. I'm glad I did. It's a fantastic addition to my personal library, a great story to read with my niece, and (assuming Sendak won't write another) a wonderful close to his career. I'm rather in love with it.

these reviewers are crazy. this book is hilarious. it never says they are drinking booze, to kids swill could be punch. the illustrations are amazing, as are all of sendaks books. i love at the end when the aunt and he make up. it is adorable. i read it to toddlers as well as my kindergarten twins.
i would recommend getting it, as i would recommend any other sendak book. there is nothing 'frightening' about it.

Poor orphaned Bumble-Ardy has never had a birthday party. In this rhyming story, Bumble-Ardy's Aunt Adeline takes him in. After receiving a cowboy costume as a gift, Bumble-Ardy decides to throw a party on his own while his aunt is out - a party that quickly gets out of control. As the costumed swine begin to "oink loud grunts" and pull "all kinds of dirty stunts", readers are treated to several nearly wordless pages of rampaging pigs, a là the wild rumpus of Where the Wild Things Are. The masks the pigs wear look scary, strange and like something out of Mardi Gras. There's something vaguely menacing about this story - I certainly felt uncomfortable with a few things. I didn't like the pig dressed as an Indian with a feathered headband. Bumble-Ardy is dressed as a cowboy, and many pages, including the cover, feature a pig dressed as a police officer. What's Sendak's message here?

As I read this new Sendak book, something tickled the back of my brain... the story, especially the repeating line of "half-past nine" just seemed so familiar. Was it something from Sesame Street? Yes! Yes it is.

I thought it was interesting that the boy from the original story becomes a pig in this version. Despite changing the wine that was guzzled to brine in this new offering, Bumble-Ardy is still sure to raise the hackles of concerned parents. The fact that Adeline is not his mother in this version, but rather his adoptive aunt, certainly raises the stakes, when Bumble-Ardy fears rejection. I think the emotional intensity of children is very well respected here. How many children feel put-upon when a birthday party isn't as grand as they hope? A year ago feels so long ago to a child that it may as well have not even happened. Even a long-anticipated party can feel overwhelming to a young child who will break down when overstimulated. When Adeline comes home and discovers the house a complete mess, she becomes so enraged, her whole face distorts into a blackened mask of fury. Reading the book for the first time, I missed the final page. I initially thought it ended at "Okay smarty you've had your party! But never again!" and a tearful Bumble-Ardy responds, "I promise! I swear! I won't ever turn ten!" Happily, the story doesn't end there. There's one more page, a reconciliation of sorts when true to the original "Adeline, that aunt divine,/Took in her Bumble valentine/And kissed him nine times over nine."

A rich and challenging entry into the genre of picture books offering assurances of unconditional parental love, this is a fine addition to Sendak's oeuvre. Be fearless and give this book a chance - children may be able to handle more than you think.

Adults are challenged and disturbed by Maurice Sendak's work, but kids aren't. Bumble-ardy is no exception. Sendak gives us an endearing tale of a pig wanting to party, getting into trouble, and promising "never to turn 10." Kids understand Sendak's exaggerated and absurd drama that echos from Grimm's Fairy Tales and traditional fables. Bumble-ardy is a character that takes full delight in life, and learns more about life when he makes mistakes. Through beautiful illustrations and cheeky writing, Maurice Sendak reminds us (in his charming and unassuming manner) to have fun, enjoy life, love our family, and practice forgiveness. And Sendak never skimps on humor and mischief to tell his story, things that kids thrive on and grown-ups can be up-tight about. Careful not to be too uptight, or you might miss the tenderness and compassion that gently emerge in this treasure the author has created.

I caught just a snip-it of the NPR interview and felt the tender heart energy of Maurice Sendak as he spoke openly about his life, and the role this book played as he was writing it. I knew I had to have this piece! I am not disappointed; what I love most is all of the big egos and personalities that come to Ardy's disguise party. The illustrations are a play ground of endless possibilities for discussion with a child about each disguise and every pen stroke in each picture. I am looking forward to snuggle time with my granddaughter and the conversations we will have as she explains it all to me, in great detail.

As a child psychologist, I work primarily with foster and adopted children. Because of this, these kids tend to deal with issues related to profound loss, abuse, abandonment, and people giving them the message they're not 'good enough.' I therefore had reservations about putting this book in my waiting room, given the general theme.

Turns out, the kids don't care. They love it! It's only been in my waiting room for a month or so, but I may have to buy another one soon, as it's getting lots of wear and tear.

And it's not just the kids reading it! Forget about subscribing to Newsweek for the adults who bring the kids; they want Bumble-ardy too!

Oh, and did I say (write) that the illustrations are incredible?

Anyhow, it's a great book for folks of all ages.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that a new Maurice Sendak had a new book. I knew we were going to add this one to our collection. It's a cute litte story and if you are a fan of Maurice Sendak this is a must!!!!

we're starting to enjoy the rhythm and cadence of the words. this illustrations seem looser that sendak's earlier work, but still effective and complex.

Sendak puts the heartbreak of a little boy into poetry and line. He is the little pig who never celebrated his 10th birthday and his sadness, tho masked, is evident.