Whiskers & Rhymes [Hardcover]

Arnold Lobel (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A collection of short humorous poems in the nursery rhyme tradition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lobel will probably have to make room for another prize on his mantel when his new book appears. It's a fat volume of original verses, illustrated in the award-winner's beguiling style. Full-color pictures place his cast, male and female felines, in the 19th century. Their attire is authentic and charming and so are their attitudes as they act out notable events. There are "Friendly Fredrick Fuddlestone/ Could fiddle on his funny bone . . . / His furious father/would flatly forbid it,/ Which, of course,/ is why young Freddy did it," and more comments of a deliciously comic stripe. But Lobel can just as surely create a wistful feeling: "Postman, postman,/ Bring my mail./ Let me serve you/ Cakes and ale./ The day was sad,/ But now it's better . . ./ A friend has written me a letter."
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1 Up Lobel presents 35 rhymes, which, like those in Mother Goose collections, are frequently much more than they seem. Primarily they are bits of word play, funning around with the sounds of language: "Sing a song of succotash"; "George brushed his teeth with pickle paste." They characterize the sensitivity of ear and intellect acting in consort to create comedy and small pieces of unsentimental poetry about the human condition. Lobel first did it with pigs (Book of Pigericks Harper, 1983), and this time it's all cats, solidly anthropomorphic felines mostly dressed to the nines in period costumes and always emoting in ways to extend the meanings of the words. Some scenes are full-page frame settings, others are vignettes and still others are presented as a chronological series of boxed actions. (All are economically rendered, showing only what's needed to give the emotional kick.) Colors are intense with considerable black line to help make the shapes more sculptural. Youngsters will value most the funny sounding words and the readily accessible pictures of cats play-acting as folks. More mature readers will appreciate the poignancy of the arrival of a friend's letter or the mystery of the lady who "stitched the sun to the highest hill/ to hold the day from ending." There's a fair share of poetry here and pictures to help children laugh comfortably at themselves Kenneth Marantz, Art Education Department, Ohio State University, Columbus
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (September 30, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688038352
• ISBN-13: 978-0688038359
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arnold Lobel (1933-1987) was the award-winning author and illustrator of many beloved children's books, including the classic I Can Read books about Frog and Toad, and the Caldecott Medal winning Fables.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The world's best children's book, February 5, 2002

By 

Mary Kay Hamalainen (North Bergen, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whiskers & Rhymes (Hardcover)

It's difficult to describe how much this book has meant to my family. Our daughter is 6 years old and, until we started reading Harry Potter at bedtime, Whiskers & Rhymes was nightly fare. My husband and I have long since memorized every poem, but we have never tired of either the text or the charming, unique illustrations. My personal favorite: "Sleeping Charlie in his chair. Feathered wings have sprouted there. Away flies Charlie through the air. Across the skies to everywhere." Our first copy has gotten so much use that I bought a hardcover just for "keeps."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids., June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Whiskers and Rhymes (Library Binding)

Some are silly, some are sad, and some are very sweet for any age. I've bought a few copies just so I can cut out and frame the great drawings with their poems. My favorite as a book lover is: "Books to the ceiling, books to the sky. My piles of books are a mile high. How I love them! ............" And my now-grown children still remember the "Man dressed all in cheese." Very nice. Very much fun.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Four kids favorite, February 25, 2000

By 

Patricia Reville - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whiskers and Rhymes (Library Binding)

Arnold Lobel's charming cats and plain poetry make the small things in life poignant with out being cloying."...the day was fine but now it's better, my freind has written me a letter." The poems are funny, silly and sometimes romantic. "If I were a pot and you were a pan we would sit on the shelf together. If I were a mountain and you were the snow we wouldn't much mind the weather." When I begin to read this book to my 5 year old, teenage siblings often drift into the room just to hear it all again. This book has been read in our house for 16 years and it is one of the very few that continues to charm me.