Singular creatures such as the Jumblies and the inglorious "Dong with a Luminous Nose," along with such famous flapdoodle as "Jabberwocky" and "The Mock Turtle's Song," are illustrated in expert full-color paintings. Doubleday Main.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Inspired accompaniment to the nonsense verses of Lear and Carroll, Palin's gorgeous, eccentric paintings present a sweeping vision of a dream world slightly askew. Drawn with a passion for detail, bewigged fish and Dickensian grotesques share the pages with an assortment of animals, insects and children clad in Victorian regalia. The collection includes old favorites as well as lesser-known works (e.g., Carroll's "The King-Fisher Song" and Lear's "The New Vestments"). Whimsical without the slightest trace of coyness, the accomplished artwork delights the eye. All ages.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-A lavishly illustrated collection of 17 poems by two grand masters of nonsense. Most of the selections are familiar, but who can resist a few steps through the looking glass, or another visit to the hills of the Chankly Bore? The beautiful, surreal, yet sharply defined and finely detailed illustrations sometimes hint at the darker side of the verses and the psychological undertow beneath the surface. Golden tones predominate, contrasted against blues and greens often in the form of the sea, a constant image that suggests travel to the unknown. The characters are dressed in Victorian garb; the children appear rather sallow and unhealthy. The creatures, on the other hand- whether known or imaginary-are marvelous. There are mermaids that look like china dolls, Jumblies that look like children (until one notices their animallike cleft lips), and a quite hideous Jabberwocky. The juxtaposition of the familiar and the bizarre is sometimes unsettling and thought-provoking- who are these women in exotic bird masks who dance with a besuited lion and parrot? Palin takes off on her own flight of fancy, and her recurring imagery echoes Lear's habit of being self-referential. Unfortunately, in one of the illustrations for Carroll's "The Walrus and the Carpenter," it is the Carpenter crying with a handkerchief in his hand, when it should be the Walrus. Lear has usually been the more popular choice for illustrated collections (although none have this level of psychic resonance), and while both authors often appear in the same anthologies, it is unusual for them to be singled out and paired in this way.
Annette Curtis Klause, Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries,
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Annette Curtis Klause, Montgomery County Department of Public Libraries,
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lush illustrations and fun poems your children will adore,,
This review is from: Owls and Pussy-Cats: Nonsense Verse (American) (Hardcover)
This is a collection of great nonsense verse from Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear, most of which stands the test of time - beautifully illustrated by Nick Palin. My children (2 and 4) have adored this book for over a year now. They read it themselves - or at least look long and hard at the illustrations, and bring it to me to read to them over and over. Most of these poems can easily be found in other books or collections. The advantage of this collection is that it is a small number of very good poems and (as I said before) they are really well illustrated. My children have rapidly learned quite a bit of each of the poems just from frequent re-reading. Poems include The Crocodile, the Owl and the Pussycat, the Dong with the luminous nose, the Walrus and the carpenter - and my children's favourite - the Jumblies. I really enjoy The New Vestments which is one I had not seen before In the rear of the book is the Index of titles and first lines which makes it simple to track down anything you particularly want to read. I would definitely recommend this as a must have for a children's library. It is one of those lovely books which has opened my children's eyes to poetry and reading.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully illustrated,
By A Customer
This review is from: Owls and Pussy-Cats: Nonsense Verse (American) (Hardcover)
When I was a child I loved Edward Lear's nonsense poetry. I bought this book to read to my children, 3 and 5, but what really attracted me to the book was the stunning illustrations by Nicki Palin. They are outstanding, detailed, even surreal, but in a warm way that brings the verses beautifully to life. My children love them, pointing out all the various characters that are mentioned in the poems. What is particularly nice about this book is the first two poems which I have only seen in this edition and are a perfect introduction to goals of the two authors: "How pleasant to know Mr Lear who has written such volumes of stuff..." and "Child of the unclouded brow and dreaming eyes of wonder..." And I have to admit that of all the books I read my children at bedtime, this is the one I most enjoy.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Disney-esque illustrations and nonsensical verse enchant...,
By susanleavitt@hotmail.com (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Owls and Pussy-Cats: Nonsense Verse (American) (Hardcover)
This childrens' favorite is equally popular with adults. The illustrations are colorful and mesmerize even the youngest. Familiar verses become preferred bedtime rhymes that evoke giggles from both reader and listener.
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