The Lady with the Ship on Her Head [Paperback]

Deborah Nourse Lattimore (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Reading Rainbow Book

Madame Pompenstance decides to decorate her hair with seashells in a desperate attempt to win the prize for the Best Headdress at the Fancy Dress Ball, but she doesn’t notice the ship that sails onto her head when she bends down to gather shells at the beach. “Lattimore has crafted exquisite, historically accurate illustrations that will provide as much mirth as her tongue-in-cheek tale.”--Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lattimore's fanciful story pokes fun at the ridiculous extravagances reached by women's coiffures in 18th-century France. Madame Pompenstance, the book's somewhat rattle-brained heroine, is a perfect example of the silliness of the times. Preparing for the annual Fancy Dress Ball, this fatuous fashion plate is seeking a suitably excessive hairstyle that will win her the prestigious Medal for Best Headdress. When Madame strolls down to the beach for inspiration, a small triple-masted sailing ship docks right on top of her head. Thinking the sun is beating rather strongly, she doesn't realize what has happened. Her day goes from bad to worse--the "headache" becoming increasingly painful--but that night at the ball, Madame is at last awarded the coveted prize, never discovering the reason. Lattimore has crafted exquisite, historically accurate illustrations that will provide as much mirth as her tongue-in-cheek tale. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4 --Hoping to win the Medal of Honor for Best Headdress at a fancy ball, Madame Pompenstance will do anything for a new idea. While strolling on the beach, she bends down to find a few seashells to put in her hair. Unbeknownst to her, at that moment a very small triple-masted sailing ship rows upon her head and balances upon her elaborate hairstyle. During the day, while Madame Pompenstance plays croquet, has tea, plays cards, and poses for her portrait, she wonders why her head aches so much. The sailors aboard the ship drop anchor and have a wonderful time eating sweets at the tea and drinking rum punch during the Ball. At the Ball that evening, Madame Pompenstance wins hands down for her ingenious headgear, but resolves to never again use seashells in her hair. This amusing story captures the feel of 18th-century French aristocracy while also serving as a delightfully silly story. Lattimore's lavish ink-wash illustrations perfectly reflect the elaborate styles of the time. Executed in a fairly realistic manner, the characters are reminiscent of Hogarth with their droll, almost grotesque faces. The clothing of Madame Pompenstance and her friends is so finely detailed as to resemble actual costume renderings. All in all, a fanciful bonbon of a story that should have older picture-book audiences giggling at the foolishness of Madame Pompenstance. --Denise Anton Wright, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, IL
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (February 28, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152435263
• ISBN-13: 978-0152435264
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,199,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter's favorite, March 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Lady With the Ship on Her Head (Library Binding)

Not only is the story fun, the illustration are FANTASTIC. Non readers as well as older children will love this. How on earth can someone not know a ship is on their head? Are there really little people? Get a load of those clothes and hair styles. The ridiculous sparks the imagination of children. Elementary schools and public libraries should own it. It can lead to some educational discussions on past customs and costumes

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh so fun!, October 29, 2009

By 

A. Williams - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lady with the Ship on Her Head (Paperback)

I fell in love with this book when I was young and saw it on Reading Rainbow, and I'm thrilled that the love is still here so many years later!

This little treasure is filled with fun, both in writing (the names of all the women are hilarious!) and illustrations (I adore the illustrations! If for nothing else than this poor woman's hair looks like waves on the hull of the ship! Brilliant!)

The story is about Madame Pompenstance, who wishes that she could finally win "Best Headdress at the Fancy Dress Ball." When a miniature ship sails onto Pompenstance's head, she must endure an entire day of headaches and unbalance, because, of course, she doesn't *know* that there's a ship on her head. But, will it help her win the award anyway?

I'm not really sure which moral we're supposed to garner from this book - is it the absurdity of over-the-top fashion? Something about society and classes? That rudeness isn't rewarded? That the good will finally triumph? Because, does Madame Pompenstance really get what she wants? I'm assuming based on the end, that it's about not needing to fit it with the "it" crowd, but you know, maybe it's a hodge-podge of morals, or maybe it's none. I don't know, and I really don't care, because this book is so delightful anyway!

A slight warning: there is rum in this book - it's briefly mentioned, and only that it's cause for the ship's crew to throw a party. Nothing detailed, but, if it bothers you, then FYI.

I should probably only give this four stars, but, because of nostalgia and because it's just so unique I have to give it five!