Curious Pages: November 2009

Portly's Hat

by Lucy Cousins, 1988

WHY CHILDREN WILL LIKE IT: It has stinky seagulls.

WHAT ELSE? The art looks like something children might do themselves.

Bob and Ray's Story of Linda Lovely and the Fleebus

by Bob & Ray and Michael J. Smollin, 1960

R: Good gravy! Is this a children's book? The language... so urbane and learned. More like a radio routine.

B: What?

R: I said the text... atypical for a children's book... closer to radio.

B: That's not what you said before.

R: Will children truly appreciate its drier-than-dry wit?

B: What?

R: I say, kids, will they like it? I mean apart from the bits about peanut butter?

B: That's not what you said before.

R: How about these illustrations? Michael Smollin... didn't he illustrate the classic, The Monster at the End of This Book and work on some of those Bert and Harry cartoons?

B: Bert and who?

R: Oh why don't you dry up.

This review brought to you by the makers of Graham Crackers with Chocolate all Over Them™.

Most everything Ted (Dr. Seuss) Geisel wrote qualifies as required Curious Pages reading. Below, a rarely seen two-page bio written by fellow writer (A Fish Out of Water) "Mrs. Dr. Seuss," Helen Palmer Geisel.

The Gateway to Storyland

by Watty Piper and Eulalie, 1954

We know we're in good hands when we see the Platt & Munk, Co Seal of Approval . . .

Yep, happiness on every page. Here are a few . . .

Thank you Watty Piper.

The Nightingale

by H. C. Andersen (in Hebrew) and Amos Hetz, no date listed

Another wonderful book for Read-Aloud we can't read. This Hebrew edition, based on Andersen's The Nightingale, features clean, minimal, graphic design by Amos Hetz.

You probably know the story anyway. If not these pictures do an excellent job of conveying the multi-layered plot.

WHY CHILDREN WILL LIKE IT: They can color in-between the lines.

The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily

by Dino Buzzati, 1945

Guest Reviewer: JOHN BEMELMANS MARCIANO

Dino Buzzati was an acclaimed author, accomplished poet, and amateurish artist who put all his skills to best effect in La famosa invasione degli orsi in Sicilia (The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily is its arhythmically-rendered English title). The illustrations that accompany Buzzati's surrealistic tale prove you don't have to know how to draw to masterfully tell a story in pictures. If imperfection bothers you don't pick up this book--it's the shaggy work of a creator who'll dare try anything.

Reading The Little Prince, you may feel like you are in the company of an author who can elevate you to the heavens. With La famosa invasione, you ride shotgun to a man who would come over to your house, drink all your liquor, burn your house down with his cigarette, and still manage to convince you how lovely a waltz the flames were dancing.

–– John Bemelmans Marciano