Otter Nonsense (Books of Wonder) [Hardcover]

Norton Juster (Author), Michael Witte (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1994 | Series: Books of Wonder

We've got some great gnus for ewe here--lots of other hilarious animal puns that are sure to shark you. In this brilliantly illustrated book you can see the seal of approval, and meet a moose with a mousetache. The 80 outrageous puns in the collection will make this just the condor book you'll gopher. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-Billed as the "Winner of the Pullet Surprise," this illustrated book of puns is full of surprises, and only occasionally lays an egg. There is no story or plot, and each pun, e.g., a fuzzy animal in a spacesuit (otter space) or horned animals in sneakers and shorts (Gnu York Marathon), stands on its own. Some may be a little sophisticated for young readers, like the skinny legs flying off the page entitled "heron gone," but they will quickly be reeled back in by the "fast buck," a deer in a racing suit, and a bird wearing a leather jacket (wrenegade). The illustrations are playful and detailed, matching the text in wit and cleverness. Sure to provoke groans, but on the otter hand, as hinted on the last page, kids might have some fauna reading them.
Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Animal puns for the young introduce kids to the ironies of language and possible zany illustrations; but this isn't necessarily a book for beginners, despite its one and two-line creations. Kids need a working knowledge of puns and language in order to appreciate the wonder of how Juster pokes fun at common sayings. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (August 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688122825
• ISBN-13: 978-0688122829
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,295,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Norton Juster is an architect and planner, professor emeritus of design at Hampshire College, and the author of a number of highly acclaimed children's books, including The Dot and the Line, which was made into an Academy Award-winning animated film. He has collaborated with Sheldon Harnick on the libretto for an opera based on The Phantom Tollbooth. The musical adaptation, with a score by Arnold Black, premiered in 1995 and will soon be performed in schools and theaters nationwide. An amateur cook and professional eater, Mr. Juster lives with his wife in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Visual and textual puns that will delight people of all ages, June 13, 2007

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Otter Nonsense (Paperback)

This book of visual and textual puns uses the names of animals to create them. Some examples are:

*) There is a picture of an ox jumping of a diving board and it is about to land on a porpoise. The caption is "Oxidentally on porpoise."

*) There is an otter is a baseball uniform about to deliver a pitch. The caption is "Striker otter."

*) There is a female dog pushing a baby carriage containing a large number of baby puppies. The caption is "Pupulation explosion."

*) There is a hippopotamus sitting on a toilet. The caption is "Hippopottymus."

The puns will delight children and adults alike. There is nothing better than a joke based on wordplay, when done well everyone can appreciate them.