Wynken Blynken And Nod [Hardcover]

Eugene W. Field (Author), David Mcphail (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Eugene W. Field's timeless lullaby is lovingly rendered in charming, whimsical illustrations by award-winning illustrator David McPhail.

WYNKEN, BLYNKEN, AND NOD takes children on a magical journey into the night sky where three fishermen sail in a wooden shoe, capturing the stars in nets of silver and gold and laughing with the moon. And when the nighttime adventure comes to an end, the wooden shoe brings the fishermen home to the real world of a child fast asleep.
With soft illustrations and rhythmic rhyme, this lullaby poem will help energetic toddlers settle down and have sweet dreams as they snuggle into their beds.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3--Endpapers filled with twinkling stars usher readers into the magical world of Field's famous lullaby. Unlike other illustrators of this poem, such as Susan Jeffers (Dutton, 1982; o.p.) and Johanna Westerman (North-South, 1995), McPhail uses vivid pastel colors, and his luminous full-spread artwork is finished off with narrow white borders. The close-up views invite children along on what is more an exciting adventure than a mysterious voyage. The fishermen are three rabbits attired in seafaring clothes who load their wooden shoe with a barrel and nets for their unusual journey. With a spyglass-toting bunny in front, the three sail across the sky on a path of rainbow-hued light where a surprised, crater-pocked moon questions their mission. Large fish become multicolored stars, which the sailors pull into their barrel. They then travel home, where they turn their catch into a star-studded quilt for a little girl's bed. At the end of the book, careful observers will note three sets of rabbit ears peeking out from under a child's blanket and that the boat's sail very closely resembles the curtains on her window. It is strange that the mother who tucks her in looks as young as her daughter, but this is a small quibble. With its lovely swirls of warm color and large, inviting pictures, this would be a welcome addition to poetry shelves, especially if other versions are in short supply.--Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. Few texts have inspired so many picture books as Field's familiar bedtime rhyme. In this large-format book, McPhail's interpretation sends three bunnies, clothed as sailors, off in the wooden shoe that sails through a dreamy version of the night sky and into the bedroom of a little girl. After they scatter stars onto her blanket, and she quickly falls asleep, they glide back toward the benevolent moon. Rich with deep, soft colors, the illustrations sweep broadly across the double-page spreads. The same sailors and wooden shoe appear on nearly every spread, which could have been yawn inducing in itself. But McPhail smoothly varies the perspective and composition from scene to scene, so like the lullaby itself, the pictures suggest rhythm, grace, and mystery. A natural for reading aloud, and even better for singing aloud, this book may become a bedtime favorite. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439543037
• ISBN-13: 978-0439543033
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #751,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible and beautiful book, always to be remembered, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Wynken, Blynken and Nod (Picture Puffin) (Paperback)

This is a book that my father grew up on, and after having kids of his own, read it to us. As we grew up, this book had somehow disappered, and, having missed it so much, set upon looking for it on the internet. This is a beutiful children story, but not only for children... Don't miss it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wynken, Blynken, & Nod is an enchanting, magical tale, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Wynken, Blynken and Nod (Picture Puffin) (Paperback)

that is as captivating as it is beautiful. It's a wonderful bedtime tradition, for both children and parents. This amazing poem is a timeless classic; there's always something new to discover from the entrancing journey of our trio of fishermen! It's perfect for people of all ages. Come along, and bring somebody you love on the voyage on Wynken, Blynken, and Nod; you won't regret it!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Must Have for Every Child, April 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Wynken, Blynken and Nod (Picture Puffin) (Paperback)

I was not introduced to this poem until I was 18. We were performing it in concert as a part of Midge of Gold which is a collection of children's tales set to music. I fell in love with it and when I found out it was an actual book, it became one of the first gifts I give to parents and children. The melody is one that stays with me and it's a great lulaby. This book is worth more than what you will pay for it. I have not met one person who read it as a child and didn't love it. The poem and illustrations are wonderful. Buying this book for your child, or any child, is a great investment.