Supposing.... [Hardcover]

Alastair Reid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 1973

When you’re a kid, there are lots of things you’re not supposed to do. But what if you didn’t really do any of those things, what if you just imagined them? Then it wouldn’t matter if your supposings were silly, impossible, or even a little naughty—because they’re all just in your head. Alastair Reid’s book is a monument to the liberating power of unfettered thought. Here he reunites with a frequent collaborator, the famed illustrator and designer Bob Gill, to muse on the possibilities:

Supposing I read a book about how to change into animals and said a spell and changed myself into a cat and when I climbed on the book to change myself back I found I couldn’t read. . .

Supposing I had a twin brother but we never told anyone and only went to school half the time each. . .

Supposing a very beautiful lady fell in love with me and wanted me to marry her but I just yawned and said Maybe . . .

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Sample Pages from Supposing
Click on the thumbnails to see the full page.

Boat	Lion	Millionaire	Picture

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--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

“Alastair Reid is a word magician.” –Bill Buford

"A 1960 text from Reid is paired to all-new illustrations from Gill that realize one child's beguiling hypotheses....And so it goes, supposition after childlike supposition, against scribbly, mostly black-and-white drawings with just a few strategic touches of color....As fascination with cause and effect is a classic phase of childhood, this book would seem to have a natural place in both bedrooms and classrooms..."--Kirkus Reviews

"There's an understated but fitting whimsy in Gill's artwork." --Publishers Weekly --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd (October 4, 1973)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0283979631
• ISBN-13: 978-0283979637
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,655,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Supposing we all bring a pangolin to work, November 14, 2003

By 

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Supposing.... (Hardcover)

This is a crazy book with lots of weird ideas that, while it may not actually lead children to commit mischief, should at least encourage them to think about it. It will also encourage adults (I hope_ to shed their facades of responsibility to pull pranks. It will make you laugh. In short, it's a classic.

Great illustrations and outrageous "supposing" scenarios tug at the joker in us all..

(For some reason, there was a copy in my college library, no doubt because the author has published a variety of learned books as well. I used to check it our every few months or so.)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful and funny book, January 3, 2002

By 

Digger "mrpenbrook" (Oak Park, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Supposing.... (Hardcover)

"Supposing" is one of those books that adults look at and wonder if it's appropriate for children because they've forgotten what it's like to be a child. It's a funny book that presents some slightly skewed one-page "what if" scenarios that are guaranteed to engage the imagination of anyone who has an imagination.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stupidity for stupidities sake, April 13, 2003

By 

Katie Heath (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Supposing.... (Hardcover)

I too remember this book from my childhood. It's with fond memories that I recall hours spent at pre-school with my best friend, in stitches laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of "Supposing". We still quote silly passages even now. It's one of those books that makes a young person LOVE to read.
In fact, I'm trying to get hold of a copy for future generations, if anyone knows of a copy - please do let me know where I can purchase it. Viva la difference!