The Quangle Wangle's Hat [Paperback]

Edward Lear (Author), Janet Stevens (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The Quangle Wangle thought he was isolated at the top of a tree but his hat attracted a wide range of visitors.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool--Grade 3-- Stevens uses Lear's nonsense verse to display her fresh imagination and humor in this lively picture book. The Quangle Wangle Quee is a tree-dwelling creature obscured by an enormous beribboned hat. He is lonely, but not for long: a procession of animals (some real, some imaginary) discover him, seeing the hat as a possible home. A pair of canaries are the first to arrive, saying, "May we build a nest on your lovely Hat? Mr. Quangle Wangle, grant us that!" By the end of the book, the hat is more built up than one would believe possible, with sheds, nests, shacks, mailboxes, TV antennae, pots of geraniums, and clotheslines. The poem itself is not one of Lear's best works, for the rhythm is not as suited to reading aloud as, for example, "The Jumblies" or "The Owl and the Pussycat." Yet Stevens' use of inventive detail and deadpan silliness is as delightful as it was in her version of The Three Billygoats Gruff (HBJ, 1987). The unkempt and chaotic quality of the illustrations suits both the cumulative and fanciful natures of the poem. --Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Lear's rhymed introduction to a lonely treetop creature who gladly allows a menagerie of birds, plus such less familiar creatures as the Dong and the Pobble, to perch on his oversized hat exerts its accustomed magic: "And at night by the light of the Mulberry moon / They danced to the Flute of the Blue Baboon, / On the broad green leaves of the Crumpetty Tree, / And all were as happy as happy could be...." In color-drenched cartoons, Voce depicts the Quangle Wangle Quee as a koala, face nearly hidden beneath a huge, floppy hat decked with lace and ribbons, who presides over a swelling troop of smiling, pop-eyed guests. The first separate rendition of the rhyme since Janet Stevens's 1988 edition, this makes a smile-inducing companion to Voce's version of The Owl and the Pussycat (1991). (Picture book. 6-8) (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Voyager Books (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152014780
• ISBN-13: 978-0152014780
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,310,658 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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the same but still enchanting, December 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quangle Wangle's Hat (Paperback)

Every child has a story that they demand to be read night after night, for about 2 years, until the parents become so bored with it that they dread beadtime. This story was mine. Or, I should ammend, the story I loved is still mostly here, but the pictures are far different and lacking in a lot of ways. Some of the most endearing characters seem to have vanished as well. Still the story is charming and silly enough for any child. The Quangle Wangle is a lonely soul in the top of a crumpet-bearing tree. One by one such animals as the "Blue Baboon that plays the flute" come and bring the Quangle and his hat new life. The author's combination of nonsense with a sense of innocent wonder are touching, and project the perfect warmth to send a kid off into dreamland. It's still a tale to love, but I'd give anything for an original copy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DELIGHTFUL RETAKE ON AN OLD FAVORITE., May 6, 2007

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Quangle Wangle's Hat (Paperback)

This is a remake of the story which was first illustrated by Helen Oxenburg. While different, it has lost none of it's charm. The Quangle Wangle is a strange critter who lives in a tree and is lonely. But the hat is the key to the end of his loneliness. Strange critters, some real, some not so real feel the hat is the ideal location to nest in, live in, and reside. The strange procession of these wonderful animal, mixed with delightful verse make this a children's favorite. I do bet to differ with the professional library review here. I feel the verse the author uses is ideal for reading alound and have had no problem what-so-ever reading it to various classes. The illustrations in this book are great, the story is cute and this is one that will go down, eventually, as a children's classic. Highly recommend this one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars favorite story since 1, August 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quangle Wangle's Hat (Paperback)

This is a wonderful story, which flows and rhymes, amusing to read. It also reminds me of my own childhood stories. It was the first story my daughter understood, and has been her one of her favorites since she was one. Now, she tells me the story, and still loves it. I would recommend it parents who wants to read nice stories to their children. Coincidently, "The Pobble Who Has No Toes" was also another favorite, and I just recently noticed they were written by the same author. Now, I am going to get more books by Edward Lear.