Customer Reviews

Owls and Pussy-Cats: Nonsense Verse (American)

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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.

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.

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.