Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog [Hardcover]

James Marshall (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Caldecott Honor winner James Marshall tops himself

Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the Cupboard,
To fetch her poor dog a bone;
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare
And so the poor dog had none.

And so it goes, as Old Mother Hubbard visits the baker, the undertaker, the butcher, the fishmonger, the tavern, the fruit stand, the tailor, the hatter, the barber, the cobbler, the seamstress, and the hosier, always hoping to find a little something that will please her wonderful dog. These two familiars from the traditional nursery rhyme seem to have a far more rewarding and amusing relationship than we ever imagined, at least as portrayed in James Marshall's lavishly inventive illustrations. Long recognized as an incomparable master of the picture-book form, this time Marshall outdoes himself in sheer inspiration and brio.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Marshall's hands, Old Mother Hubbard's perambulations on her pet's behalf--to the cupboard, the baker, the undertaker, the fishmonger and elsewhere--constitute anything but a pedestrian outing. They set the scene for a riotously colorful parade of costumes and outrageous posturing as the characters assume whatever personae best suit the verse of the moment. The dog is particularly flamboyant and grand, appearing, variously, as a turbaned sultan, a kilted Scotsman doing a solemn jig and a bereted flutist in a quartet. A myriad of shamelessly silly background details ("You'll quiver for our liver," promises a placard at the butcher's) multiplies the fun. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-- This adaptation of a favorite nursery rhyme is a romp of rhythm and will bring on the smiles because of the inimitable style of Marshall's cartoons and tongue-in-cheek humor. He extends the text from the familiar visits Mother Hubbard makes to the hatter, tailor, and barber to include a cobbler, hosier, seamstress, fruit stand . . . even a tavern and undertaker, among others. Never fear, there is nothing macabre or unseemly here--it is simple fun and sure to delight the eyes and tickle some funnybones. The cadence is musical, and young audiences will giggle as they absorb the humorous, colorful illustrations that fill each page. Old Mother Hubbard has a new look, and it is one that is sure to please listeners and newly independent readers many times over. Consider purchasing multiple copies of this pleasurable frolic. --Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, OH
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (May 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374356211
• ISBN-13: 978-0374356217
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,802,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A neater version of the classic poem, April 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog (Hardcover)

This is one interesting version of the classic poem, "Old Mother Hubbard." One interesting detail for the verse, "But when she came back the poor dog was dead" is that the picture shows that the dog wrote a note saying he couldn't live without a bone. An interesting comment on the picture for the undertaker verse is that the coffin is shown wrapped up like a present. In fact, it looks to me like a gift box of chocolates. James Marshall has extended the classic poem to include his own verses(well, it is an easy poem for which to make up your own verses).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars silly silliness, May 4, 2005

By 

Catherine Hallberg "(Kate)" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog (Paperback)

I'm not sure the original had as many verses as this- but the number makes for a good bout of goofiness and lots of fun illustrations.

We start out with the bare cupboards- bare because the mice had dined in the pantry, complete with a waiter, and the dead dog. Poor Mother Hubbard tries to do right by her dog by immediately dressing in black and buying a coffin, but the darned dog had tricked her and wasn't dead after all! phew! Instead, Mother Hubbard goes shopping everywhere for her dear dog- to the barber, the the tailor, the cobbler, the fruit stand, the tavern- but always, when she returns home, the dog is doing something else and doesn't need coffin, the coat, the shoes, the fruit, the wine. But we do get to see the silliness of the various shop owners and Mother Hubbard in an amazing amount of finery including a fantastic cowgirl outfit all "little old ladies" should consider wearing. At least now and then.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great oldie redone, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Old Mother Hubbard and Her Wonderful Dog (Hardcover)

A classic childrens tale redone into a great piece ofliterature for any young child! Great pictures! END